The former Canton McKinley football coaches who have been waiting for more than a year for a chance to clear their names in court have decided to wait a while longer. No. 2 Canton McKinley football players speak out about teammate's punishment: Why they say it was unfair for 7 coaches to lose their jobs The coach was expected to speak with 19 News at . But it wasnt until roughly five years later when the player, then in eighth grade, started to strictly follow the faiths dietary restrictions. The player testified he knew consequences existed for missing off-season workouts, which he said the coaches called mandatory. They lose sleep over me and the boys.. His defense is all over the place. He has been Canton's AD for less than a year. I just always told them whenever they bought food and stuff, I told them I dont eat pork and left it at that, he said. . I will defer to Judge Haupt and her able staff to handle. While we remain eager to present our claims against Mr. Gilbert and his clients to a jury and further clear the coaches good names, it is most important to the coaches to obtain complete justice in this matter, which requires that all responsible parties, including the (Canton City school leaders), be parties to the trial on the claims at issue, Pattakos wrote. A high school football coach and six assistant coaches McKinley Senior High School in Canton, Ohio, have been fired after they allegedly forced a player to eat pork against his religious beliefs . . CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - New developments occurred this week in the pizza scandal involving a former Canton McKinley football player and his coaches. McKinley won a rematch in the playoffs two weeks later. I'm just glad he has this opportunity. At the next days workout, the player said coach Harris told him that he was going to have to apologize to the team and he agreed to do so. The coach was trying to teach a lesson.". CANTON, Ohio The head football coach at an Ohio high school and six other coaches there have been ousted after a football player said he was . You can read Judge Adams' dismissal ruling below: Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The deposition, where the player testified under oath, was conducted as part of the defamation lawsuit that the coaches filed a year ago against the player, the players father, Kenny Walker, their attorney Edward Gilbert and former assistant coach Josh Grimsley. Dominique Sanders' squad had something to itself and 13th-seeded Canton McKinley. Thom McDaniels is a retired Ohio high school football coach.. Here's what we know nowabout the May 24incident along with what's next for the fired coaches and the Canton McKinley football team: Attorney Ed Gilbert, who is representing the player and his family,believesthe school district violated the player's constitutional rights when the coaches punished the playerformissing a May 20voluntarystrengthening and conditioning practice to nurse a slight shoulder injury he received during a priorpractice. Hall is one of the drivers behind the Marion Motley statue planned for a spot near the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Caserio is general manager of the Houston Texans. Canton McKinley head football coach Marcus Wattley and six of his assistants were fired last week following allegations the coaches forced a 17-year-old player to eat an entire pepperoni. Superintendent Jeff Talbert called the actions of the coaches "inappropriate, demeaning, and divisive. Canton McKinley Bulldogs 2022 high school football preview, online post that accompanies the transcripts, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Wattleyallowed the player to pick off the pepperoni butpork residue remained, the attorney said. Talbert went on to say that video would not be publicly released due to federal student privacy regulations. After meeting for more than an hour in executive session, the board of education unanimously voted to terminate Wattley's contract, along with the following other coaches: Wattley and the remaining six coaches were originally on administrative leave following an accusation that they forced a student to eat pepperoni pizza after he showed up late to a non-mandatory practice on May 24. The teammates affidavits also said that Wattley told the player he could leave if he didnt want to participate. … I still have visuals of them yelling at me and stuff to eat it, and I felt like my religion didnt matter to them, and they threw it out the window, and I told them I didnt eat it and they made me feel some type of way.. (Former St. Vincent-St. Mary head coach Dan) Boarman showed me a lot, how to take care of kids and everything that comes with the kid not just the football player but the student, the person and the athlete. Location: Massillon, Ohio. "This report is under investigation, in accordance with our district policies," Canton City Schools told 3News. And then I realize it is pepperoni pizza, so I start saying I dont eat pork and I dont want to eat it at least 10 times.. Las Vegas is, and he's going to rock it 'til the wheels fall off. "There's nobody in the business who is going to work harder than Josh. The Canton City School Board held a special meeting Thursday evening to discuss the incident that occurred . The Rev. Records show the Canton City School District and Superintendent Jeff Talbert were already dismissed from the lawsuit. A federal judge said there was insufficient evidence to support allegations that the player was forced to eat food against his religion. "They are not Christian or Muslim. "What is on that video shows that what happened on May 24 is an ill-mannered attempt to instill accountability and discipline in our students," Talbert said. The lawsuit also had been filed against Canton City school leaders but they were dismissed from the case in January. Following the vote to relieve Wattley of his duties, the board confirmed athletic director Antonio Hall will serve as interim head football coach for the 2021 season. He said coach Brodie told him to take off the pepperoni. It has left one of Ohio's most storied prep football programs working quickly to reset for its upcoming season and the Canton City School District in limbo as it awaits word on whetherthe player's familywill file a First Amendment lawsuitand whether criminal hazing chargeswill be filed against the coaches. I just dont understand why after I said I dont eat pork, they didnt take it (the pepperoni pizza) away. Team Statistics. Yet, he admits he didnt notify coaches on May 20, 2021, that he wouldnt be at practice that day because he wanted to rest an injured shoulder. Wattley, through his attorney Peter Pattakos, saidthe accusations that thecoaches forced a 17-year-old player to eat an entire pepperoni pizza against his Hebrew Israelite religious beliefs for missing a voluntary May 20 strengthening and conditioning workoutarefalse and exaggerated. According to the district, the coaches knew the teen was a member of the Hebrew Israelite faith, and that consuming pork was in violation of his religion's practices. Poll: Head football coach Marcus Wattley, six others dismissed for misconduct. "We are confident that under Coach Hall's leadership, our football program will be in very capable and experienced hands and our student-athletes will have a rewarding experience," Rinaldi said. Dude I don't coach at McKinley nor have I ever but I think you feel like you was entitled t to his job smh he was qualified to be the head coach . Besides pork, the player said he also abstains from eating seafood because its a bottom feeder, just like a pig.. Do you support the move? Attorney Stephen Griffin, who represents Gilbert in the coaches defamation lawsuit, declined to respond to Pattakos online post. Canton McKinley High School Head Football Coach Marcus Wattley and six assistant coaches have been fired after trying to force a player to eat pork against his religious beliefs. The district has sent its investigation to the Ohio Department of Education's professional conduct division andthe Canton City Police Department for review. I love them, they know that, Wattley said. Superintendent Jeff Talbert said it was surveillance video that gave him the information he needed to make his recommendation. The player said McLeod didnt react and continued to eat the pizza next to him. Following a due-process hearing with the Canton City School District June 8, the attorney for Canton McKinley Senior High . The Ohio Department of Educations professional conduct division also is reviewing whether the coaches should retain their educational and coaching licenses. The first NFL game action of the 2022 season will feature the debuts of a couple of head coaches.The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that the Jaguars and Raiders will square off in the Hall of . Ed Gilbert, the attorney representing the player and his family, told 3News in a statement: "We feel the court made a clear error here. The player said he felt badabout eating the ribs after seeing news reports in 2021 that the ribs had been pork. McKinley went 14-6 in Wattley's two seasons as head coach, with a couple of second-round playoff losses and an 0-2 record against rival Massillon. Canton McKinley High School head football coach Marcus Wattley placed on administrative leave along with seven assistants More Headlines: Canton's history-making fire chief reveals big. In the trial that was to start Monday, Stark County Common Pleas Judge Natalie Haupt had dismissed Canton City Schools Superintendent Jeff Talbert and board members John J.R. Rinaldi, Scott Russ, Kim Brown, David Kaminski and Eric Resnick from the case. CANTON A shortened fall camp and two abbreviated scrimmages left Mentor football coach Matt Gray a little unsure what he had in his 2021 football team heading into the season opener Aug.. Attorney Kathryn Perrico, who is representing the Canton City school leaders, responded to Pattakos' statement by saying, "The district maintains that the rulings issued by the court were sound and well-reasoned, and declines to respond to the self-serving and inaccurate statements presented by Peter Pattakos. In 2018, Dungy sharply criticized Josh McDaniels for backing out of a head coaching opportunity with the Colts, which is part of the complex national narrative. All rights reserved. Pattakos said Wattley previously had witnessed the eating-alone lesson work effectively in a different Division I locker room. as the first-year head coach of the Denver Broncos, McDaniels saw his team go . I knew it was coming sooner or later.". It wont be the same without them, said Powell, a rising senior who is considered McKinley's top returning player. Attorney Edward Gilbert, who is representing the 17-year-old player at the center of the controversyand his family, on June 14 released the surveillance video that was taken on May 24 when the family says Wattley and his staff forced the player to eat an entire pepperoni pizza against his Hebrew Israelite religious beliefs as punishment for missing a voluntary workout. Hall, who also serves as McKinley's athletic director,. A few thousand watched the Marietta Pioneers nurse a lead against the visiting John Carroll Blue Streaks. Melt Bar & Grilled closes 2 Ohio locations, Ohio Gov. We will continue to make every reasonable effort to ensure that justice is served in this case.. According to Gilbert,Wattley on May 24 ordered the player to sit in a chair in the middle of the gym and consume an entire pepperoni pizza while his teammates andcoaches yelled at him. He said he has lost respect for the McKinley coaches he once admired. Reach Kelli at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com. "Thom used to tell me, 'You can play him on defense, but if he gets hurt, you're fired.'. School board president John "J.R." Rinaldi said Hall will continue to serve as the district's athletic director and will work with the district's administrative team to build his football staff. The attorney for that Canton McKinley football player made wild accusations of anti-Semitism that caused these coaches to be terminated, lose their jobs and be smeared in the local,. This is not something that he made up, Pattakos said. Solon defeated Canton McKinley 61-40 in the opener and then Midview followed suit with a 70-45 win over Archbishop Hoban.. Solon and Midview will meet up at Medina High School on Saturday, March 4th at 7 p.m. in the regional final with a spot in the . Example video title will go here for this video. I dont know what they would have thought, but what was going through my mind at the time was if I would have told them, they would have still had me come to the trainer, but I couldnt do nothing with my shoulder at the time. Gilbert has said the family has agreed to meet with district officials before pursuing a lawsuit. I think I said, Im sorry for missing practice and I wont let it happen again or something across those lines, the player testified. The trial was set to begin Monday in Stark County Common Pleas Court. CANTONWhat Canton City school officials called a misguided attempt to instill discipline has led to the firingof McKinley High School head football coach Marcus Wattley and six of his assistant coaches. And then there was this crust left, and Coach Brodie ordered me to eat the crust too till it was all gone for the team to be done.. Head coach: Paul Brown. I remember them cussing at me, but I remember Coach Wattley saying that if I dont eat it then … the team is going to keep doing the workouts and if I was to leave, then I couldnt come back, he said. You want special treatment? In a separate vote Thursday, the five-member board unanimously hired Athletic Director Antonio Hall as the districts interim head football coach for the upcoming season. There's nobody more tenacious. The weekly sessions are now monthly check-ins. Canton McKinley head football coach Marcus Wattley and six of his assistants were firedlast weekfollowingallegations thecoaches forced a 17-year-old player to eat an entire pepperoni pizza against his Hebrew Israelite religious beliefs as punishment for missing a voluntary workout. "Looking back," Hall said, "Cleveland wasn't the right time or the right place. I think Carr is really good at it. Attorney Michael Kahlenberg, who represents the player and his father in the coaches defamation lawsuit, said he cannot comment on pending litigation. Further action may be taken on the employment contracts of the four oustedcoaches Wattley, Grimsley,McLeodand Sweat who hold other positions within the district, Talbert said. There was no intent (to cause harm), Pattakos said. What we are most certain of is that this communitys unfortunate loss will be another communitys gain, and that Mr. Wattleys excellent record as a coach, educator, and community servant will continue to speak for itself to anyone interested in the truth.". newsletter. I don't think that's going to happen now, with Josh there.". Mike DeWine suffered injury while in East Palestine, Ohio State Fire Marshal: Oakwood factory fire was not the result of a criminal act, Improvements coming to I-480 near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Ohio football coaches allegedly force Hebrew Israelite student to eat pork for missing practice, Canton City Schools fire 7 football coaches accused of forcing a Hebrew Israelite student to eat pork, Whistleblower says he was unfairly fired following Canton McKinley High School pizza-eating incident, Former Canton-McKinley football coaches sue school district leaders, father of athlete at center of pizza scandal, Closed Captioning/Audio Description Problems. "These quarterbacks that get their teams deep in the playoffs all can score in the fourth quarter. Its absolutely, totally ridiculous, Gilbert said. McKinley's Harold Fannin is the Federal League Player of the Year,. CANTON, Ohio The Canton City School District has fired head high school football coach Marcus Wattley and six of his assistants following an investigation into misconduct against a player. As for the coaches who had other jobs within the district, there will be upcoming meetings to determine their futures in that capacity. CANTON, Ohio The Canton City School District has fired head high school football coach Marcus Wattley and six of his assistants following an investigation into misconduct against a player. Powell said Wattley and all of the assistant coaches have becomefather figures to him and his teammates. Pattakos said Wattley previously had witnessed the eating-alone lesson work effectively in a different Division I locker room. Eating pork violated the player's Hebrew Israelite faith. McKinley's Harold Fannin Jr. runs after a catch against GlenOak at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. Gilberts attorney, Stephen P. Griffin, declined comment. But attorney Peter Pattakos, who was retained by Wattley on Thursday, said Thursday that version of events is exaggerated and parts of it are false. Video showed the moments the player claims the coaches forced him to eat a pork-based pepperoni pizza after showing up later to a non-mandatory practice. CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - New developments occurred this week in the pizza scandal involving a former Canton McKinley football player and his coaches. He is McKinley's fifth head coach in 10 seasons. Their complex narrative is being analyzed around the country. Im in disbelief that Im basically accused of harming a kid when Ive done nothing but take care of kids in this community, said McLeod, a 1996 McKinley graduate who was an all-Ohio linebacker for McKinley. CANTON, Ohio The lawyer for a Canton McKinley High School football player has released video that he says contradicts claims that the student was not forced to consume a pepperoni pizza. Few have better insight on McDaniels than current McKinley head coach Antonio Hall. This was an extraordinary situation we all can learn from, Pattakos said. Before a playing run in the Canadian Football League, Hall spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, whose head coach was Tony Dungy. CANTON, Ohio (WOIO) - Canton City Schools held a special meeting Thursday evening that addressed a controversy involving seven McKinley High School football coaches and a student-athlete.. A. Mentor (9-4) [I:1] L. 21-34. It was along those lines, and the kid knew he was being disciplined. Game Summary. The coaches had filed the lawsuit in July 2021 after they said their reputations had been damaged by the false accusation that they punished the then-17-year-old football player on May 24,. Superintendent Jeff Talbert said surveillance video gave administrators the information they needed to warrant their recommendation to dismiss the coaches to the school board. It was just hurting to lift it in the air., When a coach sent him a text message asking him about his absence, the player responded that Ill owe you Monday.. CANTON, Ohio Eight coaches from the Canton McKinley High School football team have been placed on administrative leave, including head coach Marcus Wattley. "Black Hebrew Israelites consider themselves Jews; I also consider them to be a Black religionbearing many of the markers of African American spirituality," she said. If he refused to eat the pizza,the playerwas told that his teammates would be forced to perform additional drills and "there was a question of whether he would be able to stay on the team," Gilbert said. New England Patriots offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels watches from the sidelines during a game against the Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. On a. Black Jews, who maintain a Christological perspective and adopt Jewish rituals. Gilbert, who did not attend the school board meeting, said the player has been devastated by the situation and continues to undergo psychological counseling. In an 11-page decision, Judge John Adams wrote there would be no ruling against the coaches "merely because it (the court) may not believe the plaintiff's factual allegations." He described various drills, including the Hallway of Hell workout, that players had to complete when they were absent. "Josh was a coach on the field. Updated: 1:20 p.m., Thursday, June 3, 2021. and last updated 6:19 AM, Jun 02, 2021. Two days after Grimsley sent the message, the district suspended Grimsley, Wattley and six other assistant coaches while it investigated allegations of misconduct before firing Wattley, Grimsley and five other coaches on June 3. Talbert, a former head football coach, said surveillance video of the high school's auxiliary gym gave administrators the information they needed to warrant their recommendations to dismiss the coaches for behavior that fell short of the district's professional and ethical standards. The Pattakos Law Firm, which represents the former coaches, released a statement after the ruling that said, in part: From the moment these absurd and sensational accusations first went public there were numerous eyewitnesses, including the alleged victims teammates, who were jumping out of their shoes to confirm that the accusations were false. . That's why he is going to be successful in Vegas. Attorney Peter Pattakos, the lead attorney representing six of the former McKinley football coaches in two of the lawsuits related to the pizza-eating incident, on Thursday released a 298-page transcript of the players roughlyseven-hour testimony that was taken as part of a court deposition. 2023 www.cantonrep.com. Bulldogs logo for the Canton City School District in Ohio. Nobody wins in this.. You did not serve the community.. Traffic alert: Crash closes 224 West at Kenmore Leg in Summit County, Fan Expo Cleveland to feature 'The Office' cast, Christina Ricci and more as celebrity guests this March, FORECAST | Another surge in temps with highs topping 60 degrees, 3 skyscraper-sized asteroids making approach to Earth this week, The story was first reported by The Repository, Deadly motorcycle crash in Canton claims life of 46-year-old man, Breeze Airways: New airline coming to Akron-Canton Airport, flights launch with $39 fares, Stark County man accused of kidnapping, holding teen girl captive at oil well site, threating to kill her and pull out her teeth, Two injured after SUV strikes motorcycle head on in Stark County, Canton woman arrested for seventh lifetime OVI with two children in the car, Mental Health Awareness Week: Stark County schools create 'unity video' to help each other, Massillon City Schools teacher among 10 arrested in Summit County prostitution sting, Stark County man arrested, charged in connection with Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, Keith Wakefield retires after 30 seasons as Perry Panthers football coach.

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