After violently abusing a player, a high school football coach in Atlanta was taken into custody.
The incident occurred during the Saturday football game in Atlanta between Benjamin E. Mays High and Douglas County High, which was broadcast live over the weekend by neighborhood television station Peachtree TV. The player was shown doubling over in pain after being struck in the stomach on the sidelines by a Benjamin E. Mays assistant coach.
Carl Sledge was named as the assistant by Atlanta News First.
Atlanta Public Schools confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday that Sledge had been taken into custody on charges of simple violence as a result of the incident. The school district further stated that Sledge was a “lay coach,” also known as a “community coach” who did not hold any official credentials and did not work for the school.
Atlanta Public Schools released a statement to USA TODAY Sports stating that “a lay coach for Mays High School, who is not a classroom instructor, was taken into police custody after an incident that occurred on the sideline during the school’s game against Douglas County High School on Saturday afternoon.” The lay coach is seen in video from the game’s live broadcast brutally hitting a player, according to the report.
At the end of the first quarter, Benjamin E. Mays High was leading Douglas County 12-0 when the video shows Sledge ranting at a player. Sledge punched the player in the stomach after reprimanding him verbally. According to Atlanta News First, police led Sledge off the field.
“The safety and well-being of all APS students remains a high priority for the district, and all APS employees are held to the highest standard of conduct and professionalism,” Atlanta Public Schools noted.
Douglas County defeated Benjamin E. Mays High in the final score of 48–42.
