… It was nice seeing him, but like, what was going through my mind at the time was the disrespect that they put me through, he testified. He has been on staff, mostly as offensive coordinator, for all nine of Bill Belichick's New England Super Bowls. Nordonia, 11-13 last year, was looking to also avenge a 58-42 loss last year to McKinley as a 19th seed in the . Box Score. Thats the lesson that needed to get through to him.. The school board on Thursday voted to fireWattley and six of his assistant coaches after the districts completed investigation found that the coaches on May 24 acted in a demeaning and divisive manner in what school officials have called a misguided attempt to instill discipline in the student athletes.. ", Attorney Michael J. Kahlenberg, who is representing the player and Walker, said the voluntary dismissal of a civil lawsuit is common, but, "Our pool of potential jurors deserves better. violated the player's constitutional rights, the districts completed internal investigation, interviews with five of the coaches and three players, Hebrew Israelites do consider themselves to be Jewish, was hired as the districts interim head football coach for the upcoming season, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Thats why it raises concerns when this young man doesnt text his coaches and explains where he is when they are expecting them to be at a voluntary workout, even though it is voluntary. By The Associated Press. The district has declined to provide details of what happened on May 24. Other lawsuits filedEx-McKinley football player sues, alleges coaches coerced him to eat pizza against beliefs. When Pattakos asked him if he believed that any of the coaches intended to harm him by violating his religious beliefs, the player responded: I dont know what they were what was going through their heads, so I dont know.. "There's nobody in the business who is going to work harder than Josh. "I ran around the corner seeing nothing but open space. And then they started telling everyone to grab 45-pound plates, but as I reached to go grab one, Coach Watt says, Not you, youre chilling, the player said. McKinley went 14-6 in Wattleys two seasons as head coach, with a couple of second-round playoff losses and an 0-2 record against rival Massillon. Talbert said it was the surveillance video that gave him the information he needed to make his recommendation to fire Wattley and his assistants. Their complex narrative is being analyzed around the country. Canton McKinley sophomore Dante McClellan looks to make a play at Akron East, Wed., Feb. 15, 2023 "We struggled at the rim," Vlkajkovich said. Black Hebrews, who are more traditional in their practice of Judaism. "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. CANTON, Ohio (WOIO) - The whistleblower who alerted school officials about the alleged actions of Canton McKinley High School coaches said he was unfairly . Pattakos said Wattley previously had witnessed the eating-alone lesson work effectively in a different Division I locker room. "The Raiders have a lot of the pieces they need to be a great team, starting with the quarterback. McDaniels kicked in addition to playing quarterback at McKinley when Miller coached the Bulldogs' defensive backs. DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. When Pattakos asked him whether he planned to cut the coaches out of his life forever, the player said, I mean, I dont plan on rebuilding no relationship we had.. Gilbert has said the player was told that if he didn't eat the pizza, that his teammates would be forced to perform additional drills and that the player's status with the team was in question. Before the pizza incident happened, I respected them and had love for them for what theyve done for me throughout the years, he said, citing the times they would drive him to practice and appointments and helped him get his knee surgery. I said I dont eat pepperoni because I dont want to eat it because the grease is cooked in with the cheese. Canton family's faith at the center of McKinley High football coach abuse allegations, Head football coach Marcus Wattley, six others dismissed for misconduct. Its unclear from the players testimony whether the other coaches heard the player talking about his religion. He described various drills, including the Hallway of Hell workout, that players had to complete when they were absent. Location: Massillon, Ohio. He also had exceptional talent that few McKinley coaches have recently enjoyed. 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." While two of his teammates have signed affidavits that say the coaches offered the player a nonpork option such as McDonalds or chicken, the player testified, I didnt hear nothing about no chicken nuggets.. Editors Note: Below is a previous report by 19 News about the lawsuit. "He's proven he's a hell of a coach," Rose said. The attorney alsoblamesthe Canton City School District for conducting a rushed and incomplete investigation, an accusation the district denies. CANTON, Ohio (WJW) The Canton City School District Board of Education held a special meeting Thursday evening to discuss further discipline for a group of football coaches. A native of Canton, Ohio, President McKinley was the last president to have served in the American Civil War and is assassinated in 1901. . I'm just glad he has this opportunity. "This report is under investigation, in accordance with our district policies," Canton City Schools told 3News. 3. So, they just kept it there and then when I kicked the box, they brought it back to me, so there was nothing I could do, said the player, according to a transcript of a deposition he gave on June 23. This community deserves afull and thorough investigation and its obvious that this hasnt happened, said Pattakos, as he pointed to the players. McDaniels is a significant donor. The sprints werent working,Pattakos said. The Bulldogs went 9-3 in Wattleys first year, winning a Federal League championship. Add the football angle of Massillon-Hoban and this is a can't miss. He recounted an encounter with one of the coaches at the mall recently. Pattakos has blamed an assistant coach, whom he believes wanted Wattleys job, for presenting an exaggerated version of the story to school officials and the player's family. All rights reserved. Attorney Ed Gilbert, who is representing the 17-year-old football player and his family, said Thursday that he agrees with the school board's decision to dismiss the coaches, but added, There is no joy in seeing this. 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. I just dont understand why after I said I dont eat pork, they didnt take it (the pepperoni pizza) away. His defense is all over the place. "The idea was, 'Okay young man, you're so special? He was doing his best to teach an extraordinary athlete an important lesson., After the boards vote, Pattakos yelled to the superintendent and the board, This was a bad decision. He always tried to do the best he could at anything he did. 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 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. "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. He was asked to accept this form of a lesson. The truth about the Canton school board's indefensible decision to fire McKinley football coach Marcus Wattley and his staff over false accusations that they forced a player to eat pork against his religion "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes." Motley played at Canton McKinley High School, which is on the Hall of Fame Village's campus. "I don't think they gave him enough time in Denver. 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. CANTON, Ohio (WJW)- The family of a McKinley High School football player is calling for more action after it says the head coach forced the teen to eat a pizza. Caserio is general manager of the Houston Texans. I learned from a great man how to coach football," Wattley told media members during a Monday interview. He saidthe video would not be publicly released due to federal student privacy regulations. The Canton City School Board held a special meeting Thursday evening to discuss the incident that occurred . It says in the Bible that its unclean if you touch it, said the player who said his family attends the Gathering of Christ Church in Cleveland. It was along those lines, and the kid knew he was being disciplined. Canton McKinley High School Head Football Coach Marcus Wattley and five assistant coaches are suing Canton City school officials and others for spreading "false, malicious and extremely defamatory statements" that cost them their jobs and their reputations. Pattakos intends to refile the lawsuit as soon as is practicable. In a statement, he said the goal of the new lawsuit is to hold the school district leaders accountable for the harm they caused the coaches when they failed to fully investigate the accusations, did not inform the public truthfully and did not treat all involved parties fairly. On a sunny September Saturday in 1997, secrets of the future whispered like ripples as Josh McDaniels played a college football game on the Ohio River. June 2, 2021 A high school football coach in Canton, Ohio, and seven assistant coaches have been suspended after punishing a 17-year-old for missing a voluntary practice by forcing him to. He was calling an audible. Gilbert says his team, the player, and his family are now determining if they will appeal the dismissal. The Canton City Board of Education voted to fire the coaches on June 3, 2021 after surveillance camera video surfaced of the incident. Superintendent Jeff Talbert called the actions of the coaches "inappropriate, demeaning, and divisive. He always pushes the envelope forward. "It was a situation that deserves to be investigated so we're going to investigate it," Talbert told The Repository. 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. A roughly two-hour disciplinary hearing was held Monday with Canton City school officials about whether Wattley should retain his job as a district academic and athletic liaison. The player, whom the Repository has agreed to not identify,has been devastated by the situation and continues to undergo psychological counseling, the attorney said. Example video title will go here for this video. "I've always thought if he got another shot at a head coaching job, he would flourish. 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. It was rushed. McLeods disciplinary hearing with school officials over his job as a safety and security liaison was held earlier Monday. But they should have known that he didnt eat pork, he contends. "It's not going to get the coaches their jobs back. Former Browns coach Paul Brown hails from nearby Massillon and, last summer, Canton erected a statue of former Browns running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer Marion Motley just down the hill from the museum. He had planned to do some exercises with a stretch band due to his shoulder injury. Canton McKinley head football coach Marcus Wattley and seven assistant coaches were suspended last week by the Canton City School District after the 17-year-old reported what happened to him on . 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.". Game Summary. 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. They needed to get through to him some other way. 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. "While on administrative leave, you are not to be on school property or to have any form of communication or contact with any Canton City School District student(s), parents, or staff member without expressed permission from this office," Canton City Schools Human Resource Director Deidre K. Stokes Davis wrote to Wattley. MEDINA, Ohio - Solon and Midview both picked up big wins in the OHSAA Division I regional semifinals at Medina High School on Tuesday night. Do you support the move, Interim McKinley Bulldogs football coach Antonio Hall will look to 'put our kids first', Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. More about Hebrew Israelites: Canton family's faith at the center of McKinley High football coach abuse allegations, I miss my boys. CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - New developments occurred this week in the pizza scandal involving a former Canton McKinley football player and his coaches. Learning what he learned from his first time, applying all the knowledge he's gained since then, it's just the perfect equation for success.". Melt Bar & Grilled closes 2 Ohio locations, Ohio Gov. So then after theyre still not listening to me, the teams still around me doing the punishment, so I just eat the pizza, the player testified. "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," he said when firing the coaches. Allegations that the court says "lumped all the former coaches together without distinguishing the allegations against each individual. As for the coaches who had other jobs within the district, there will be upcoming meetings to determine their futures in that capacity. Athletic Director Antonio Hall was hired as the districts interim head football coach for the upcoming season. You can get anywhere . There was no intent (to cause harm), Pattakos said. 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