Sometimes you wonder why we do this job.

[26 Year Gap]

The official has been doing games for 14 years. The school dept in Sarasota County banned the league from using ANY of its schools' fields. There is a felony assault on officials law here in FL. I hope that any officials in that league refuse to work unless there is law enforcement present. If that video had not surfaced, it would have been almost a "he said, she said" situation. The coaches should get lifetime bans and the kid should not play for a good long while. He may not get charged as an adult, but hopefully, this will stick with him through HS. It is not in FHSAA jurisdiction, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them discuss it.

[HLin NC]

Just another in the myriad of reasons not to call youth football.

[MikeStrybel]

I coach my son's Featherweight team (11U and below 100#) here in a suburb of Chicago. The crews we see working our league are really good. The guys hustle, make the calls (though we may not agree) and act professionally. I respect the heck out of those guys because they help the next generation of football players and coaches develop.

The video was sent out to all of our coaches yesterday. Every forward included quips like, "I hope the kid gets banned from FHSAA ball when he is ready for it." or "Did you see the guy join the fight while holding an infant in his arms? Disgusting!". Most youth coaches and players get it.

[Toadman15241]

The referee who was assaulted by youth football coaches and players at a Saturday game told detectives he did not want to press charges.

Referee [redacted], 41, signed a waiver of prosecution as the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office began to investigate the attack that occurred at an afternoon game between the Sarasota Gators and the North Port Huskies at Riverview High School.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Toadman15241

The referee who was assaulted by youth football coaches and players at a Saturday game told detectives he did not want to press charges.

Shouldn't matter. Assaulting an official is a felony in Florida, and the prosecutor/DA should be able to prosecute without needing a complaint filed by the victim.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Shouldn't matter. Assaulting an official is a felony in Florida, and the prosecutor/DA should be able to prosecute without needing a complaint filed by the victim.

That is a true statement. ^^^

[APG]

Originally Posted by Toadman15241

The referee who was assaulted by youth football coaches and players at a Saturday game told detectives he did not want to press charges.

Referee [redacted], 41, signed a waiver of prosecution as the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office began to investigate the attack that occurred at an afternoon game between the Sarasota Gators and the North Port Huskies at Riverview High School.

I never understand why officials decide not to prosecute...you're not only doing yourself a disservice but a disservice to all other officials. I know when I had two players assault me after a rec game, you better believe I went through will filing a police report and everything.

[Robert Goodman]

For certif'n as a coach or admin., the Nat'l ***'n for Youth Sports shows a video that opens with footage & accounts of stuff like this occurring at children's sporting events. It's like they were trying to scare us off first.

[JRutledge]

Four Charged in brawl

This is for a special person and he knows who he is. This just goes to show that there is always more to the story or there are claims that are going to be made on both sides. The plot thickens and no matter what this official wants this is out of his hands. But as to be expected there is a claim the official started it. Not sure how, but that is the claim. Now what does this imply now?

Peace