A Georgia youth football coach has been banned for life from American Youth Football after video showed him striking a player in the helmet twice during a game, according to reports.
The incident happened during the league’s national championships in Kissimmee, Florida, where Gerrel coached a team in the nine and under division. A video of the moment spread widely online this week, and many viewers voiced outrage. The second strike knocked the player to the ground during a stop in play.
According to CBS Sports, American Youth Football said the conduct was a complete breach of its code of conduct and announced the lifetime ban after receiving the video.
NBA star LeBron James reacted on his Instagram story on Wednesday, writing that it “couldn’t be my kid” and adding that he would have done more than talk if he had been there.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office reviewed the video, and a responding officer spoke with the player’s mother. Per the officer’s report, she said she did not want to press charges. WJCL reported that the coach also worked as a counselor with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and has since been fired from that job.
In a video posted to his Facebook page, the coach apologized. “I was wrong. There is no excuse for my actions,” he said, adding that the player and the player’s parents had forgiven him.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
