Former Georgia Coach Arrested After Punching Player in High School Football Game
Emardre Brown faces charges including cruelty to children after allegedly assaulting an opposing student-athlete during a game that led to a benches-clearing brawl.
A former volunteer coach at Therrell High School in Georgia has been arrested and charged with cruelty to children after allegedly punching two opposing players during a high school football game. Emardre Brown was released on a $2,500 bond following the incident that occurred last week at Temple High in Carroll County.
The Temple Police Department stated that a facemask penalty escalated into a benches-clearing altercation. During the melee, Brown is accused of striking one of the Temple student-athletes in the face through the opening of his facemask. The player's parents reported taking their child to an urgent-care facility for evaluation and subsequently pressed criminal charges against Brown.
Investigators are reviewing cell-phone footage of the event. "Sportsmanship between the players and how infractions are handled getting the people apart, separating of parties trying to fight would be expected," Detective Corporal Andrew Mitchell told Fox 5 in Atlanta.
Brown faces multiple charges, including first-degree cruelty to children, battery, and simple assault. Atlanta Public Schools confirmed that Brown is no longer affiliated with the district. "The safety and security of our students, staff, coaches, and school communities will remain our top priority and violence or aggressive behavior of any kind by adults who interact with any students will not be tolerated," the school district said in a statement, adding that they are cooperating with authorities.