iStockphoto
An assistant coach with the Jesuit High School football team in Florida was fired this past weekend over a video showing him hitting a player during the team’s game on Friday night.
The video, which went viral after it was shared on social media by former NFL player Kevin Hobbs, the defensive coordinator for Tampa Bay Tech high school.
In the video, a player is seen racing off the field before a play and when he gets to the sidelines the coach throws a haymaker punch right at the kid’s head.
“A coaches’ role extends beyond shaping young athletes into great football players; it’s about molding them into exceptional individuals within our society,” Hobbs wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “You should NEVER reach a point where you find it necessary to engage in this. #shameful.”
A coaches’ role extends beyond shaping young athletes into great football players; it's about molding them into exceptional individuals within our society. You should NEVER reach a point where you find it necessary to engage in this. #shameful pic.twitter.com/Vu23KFgrYa
— Kevin Hobbs (@KevinHobbs_DC) November 4, 2023
Following the game, which Jesuit High won 66-35 over Tampa Catholic, Jesuit High School president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J. sent a message to parents about the incident.
“I am writing to make you aware of an incident that occurred this past Friday night during the Jesuit home football game. Between plays on the field, one of our part-time assistant coaches struck a Jesuit player on the helmet as the player was coming off the field and onto the sideline,” Hermes wrote.
“This behavior contradicts what the school stands for and is completely contrary to the expectation we have for coaches, moderators, and faculty members, who are to be role models for our students and mentors in their development as young men.
“We have reached out to the student, who was not injured in the incident, and to his family. We have met with the coach and informed him that he will no longer be coaching Jesuit football or assisting the school in any other capacity.
“The mission of Jesuit is to provide a Christian formation and education for our students. This requires that we maintain an environment for them that is safe, supportive, and conducive to their well-being and growth. This standard applies to all activities, inside and outside the classroom. We are reviewing our internal procedures and staff training to ensure that this standard is upheld by all Jesuit personnel, full-time and part-time.
“Thank you for your prayers and encouragement in helping us to better fulfill our mission.”