They have insisted they weretrying to rescue a troubled player whose off-the-field behavior was influencing his teammates and was jeopardizing his future as a Division I college athlete. In the meantime, district leadership, including Superintendent Jeff Talbert and every board member who approved this decision, should be ashamed, not least for making such a momentous decision based on such an obviously faulty and rushed investigation. Canton City Schools Superintendent Jeff Talbert hasn't released details of what happened on May 24. A jury trial in Stark County Common Pleas Court is set for Sept. 19. CANTON The former McKinley High School football player who is suing the Canton City School District and his former coaches over alleged civil rights violationssays the coaches likely didnt know about his religious beliefs before the day they forced him to eat a pepperoni pizza as punishment for missing a practice. Claim this team Ways you can help Make an impact on this team, and help keep MaxPreps up-to-date. The weekly sessions are now monthly check-ins. I try to incorporate that with my coaches every day.. Assistant coachesCade Brodie and Tyler Thatcher, and assistant baseball coach Romero Harris, who hasrelated weight room duties, also were dismissed from the team, but they do not have separate jobs with the Canton City School District. Other lawsuits filedEx-McKinley football player sues, alleges coaches coerced him to eat pizza against beliefs. John "Spider" Miller is an old Canton coach who disagrees with Jack Rose on Mayfield, but agrees on McDaniels. and last updated 6:19 AM, Jun 02, 2021. 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. This was about something much bigger.. I miss my boys. The player, who transferred to another school district last school year, said hes still dealing with anxiety and thinks about the May 24 discipline every day. 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. He did it a few times and I remember saying, 'The kid is calling audibles as a freshman. While the roughly 12-minute video doesn't have audio, McLeodsaid you can tell by the body language of the coaches and players that the player wasn't being threatened. The Canton Repository has agreed to not name the 17-year-old player, who has received interest from Division I colleges. But, he still faces the possibility of. He said he missed some workouts because he was getting paid to do yard work for a coachs friend, a woman at his moms church and his grandfather. CANTON, Ohio Eight coaches from the Canton McKinley High School football team have been placed on administrative leave, including head coach Marcus Wattley. So do my clients.". Gilbert says his team, the player, and his family are now determining if they will appeal the dismissal. "We were ahead, with the ball," recalls Kuberacki, 44. They are more than coaches, said Powell, who lost hisfather when he was young. The sprints werent working,Pattakos said. In a letter shared with 3News Investigator Rachel Polansky, Canton City Schools informed Wattley of his placement on administrative leave on Wednesday. Bottom line: Head coach . He didnt provide a reason why. Attorney Pattakos released the following statement on behalf of Marcus Wattley late Thursday night: "We asked the district to postpone their decision for at least one more week to allow for this matter to be fully and fairly investigated, including upon full consideration of the testimony of the numerous Canton McKinley football players who witnessed this event and were at tonight's board meeting wanting to tell anyone who would listen that the story being advanced by the alleged victim's father and attorney is not true. Former McKinley football coaches dismiss defamation lawsuit, intend to refile Kelli Weir The Repository 0:00 0:57 The former Canton McKinley football coaches who have been waiting for. … 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. More:Canton McKinley High School football coaches to face further discipline, possible criminal charges. McDaniels previously served as the wide receivers . Other football players who were at the May 24 workout have saidthe coaches never forced the playerto eat the pizza and they gave the player the choice of eating chicken nuggets instead. He was asked to accept this form of a lesson. A federal judge filed an order Thursday to dismiss the seven former football coaches from a lawsuit claiming they forced the player to eat pork against his religion. CANTON, Ohio (WOIO) - Former Canton McKinley football coach Marcus Wattley is still fighting to get his job back as the head coach of the Bulldogs. Other coaches involved have not responded to requests for comment or have declined comment. 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. The district has declined to provide details of what happened on May 24. Athletic Director Antonio Hall was hired as the districts interim head football coach for the upcoming season. 11, 2021 at 4:07 PM PDT. The student, now 18, filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Akron in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, against the Canton City School District and his former coaches. Repository reporters Kelli Weir, Charita Goshay,Steve Doerschuk and Josh Weir contributed to this story. "(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. 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." Former Canton McKinley Senior High School head football coach Marcus Wattley and five of his former assistant coaches are suing nine people they say have damaged their reputations in the. Reach Kelli at 330-580-8339 or [email protected]. He emphasized that the player had the ability to leave at any time and had the option of selecting an alternative food that did not contain pork. He also said he wasnt missing workouts due to using marijuana as the coaches have suggested. McDaniels kicked in addition to playing quarterback at McKinley when Miller coached the Bulldogs' defensive backs. Rose prefers Carr to Baker Mayfield based on pulling out wins in fourth quarters. He emphasized that the player had the ability to leave at any time and had the option of selecting an alternative food that did not contain pork. An attorney representing Marcus Wattley told 3News Investigates that there's more to this story that hasn't been told. 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. Canton family's faith at the center of McKinley High football coach abuse allegations, Head football coach Marcus Wattley, six others dismissed for misconduct. ", "It's (the dismissal) not going to fix the damage that has been done," said Peter Pattakos, the attorney representing the coaches. Before a playing run in the Canadian Football League, Hall spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, whose head coach was Tony Dungy. He said he later told some of the coaches over the phone that he would get this straightened out because they said some people had suggested that the coaches had tried to physically harm him, which he said was untrue. A federal judge said there was insufficient evidence to support allegations that the player was forced to eat food against his religion. 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. McLeod on Tuesday said he believes the surveillance video clears the coaches. I'm just glad he has this opportunity. 0:36. Ex-McKinley football player sues, alleges coaches coerced him to eat pizza against beliefs, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. "This report is under investigation, in accordance with our district policies," Canton City Schools told 3News. Gilbert said the player told the coach at least 10 times that he did not eat pork because he and his family are Hebrew Israelites, a faith thatstrictly forbids the consumption of pork or pork residue. "Look at how many times (Mayfield) has had the opportunity and hasn't won those games," Rose said. On May 24, 2021, head football coach Marcus Wattley allegedly forced an unnamed 17-year-old football team member to eat a pizza made with pork, although the student's religious beliefs prohibited him . "This young man is one of the most talented members of the team and he's let the team down, not showing up to practices, not communicating with his team, not fulfilling the role of a team leader," attorney Peter Pattakos told 3News. 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. … 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.. Overall, he was a coach for 40-years and was named to the Ohio high school coaches hall of fame. Editors Note: Below is a previous report by 19 News about the lawsuit. CANTON McKinley High School head football coach Antonio Hall has built quite a rapport with the Bowling Green coaching staff. Six former Canton-McKinley High School football coaches have filed a civil lawsuit alleging district leaders and a player's father and attorney defamed them, damaged their reputations and caused . CANTON, Ohio (WOIO) - The whistleblower who alerted school officials about the alleged actions of Canton McKinley High School coaches said he was unfairly . Superintendent Jeff Talbert said it was surveillance video that gave him the information he needed to make his recommendation. John Carroll quarterback Nick Caserio ended the third quarter with two completions to receiver Dave Ziegler, then opened the fourth quarter with a 12-yard strike to McDaniels. HENDERSON, Nev. Growing up in Canton, Josh McDaniels vividly remembers seeing stenciled helmets painted on the double-yellow lines on his way to McKinley High School. newsletter. Pro Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for . The player also pushed back on the coaches statements that they were trying to rescue a troubled player and that he had been grounded by his father for smoking marijuana. . NFL Scouting Combine quick hits:Andrew Berry feels Greg Newsome II is 'going to be a pretty big part' of Browns' future McDaniels, a Canton McKinley High School graduate, was all smiles as he . The lawyer representing the students family did not immediately return 19 News request for comment. Pattakos said Wattley previously had witnessed the eating-alone lesson work effectively in a different Division I locker room. This is not something that he made up, Pattakos said. For inexplicable reasons, the board denied this basic request and refused to listen to these young men, reflecting that the district's leadership is not interested in the truth of this matter, and is instead motivated by something else. Like everyone else in Browns country, Hall tuned into the 2020 head coach search in which the Browns strongly considered McDaniels and Robert Saleh but hired Kevin Stefanski. ', "His awareness of defenses really struck me. 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. Canton Former Canton McKinley football coaches dismissed from federal lawsuit alleging they forced player to eat pizza A federal judge said there was insufficient evidence to support. A federal judge in U.S. District Court dismissed seven former football coaches from a lawsuit filed by a former football player and his family, citing insufficient evidence to support allegations that the player was forced to eat food against his religion. Disciplinary hearings for assistant coaches Joshua Grimsley and Zachary Sweat, both of whom are school resource assistants, are scheduled over the next week. A football player's family has accused Wattley and his assistant coaches offorcing the player to consume an entire pepperoni pizza against his Hebrew Israelite religious beliefs as punishment for missing a voluntary May 20 strengthening and conditioning workout. Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler in Seattle, last offseason engineered his way to Denver (and to a new . On 10/28, the McKinley varsity football team won their home playoff game against GlenOak (Canton, OH) by a score of 40-22. Ben McDaniels (born June 6, 1980) is an American football coach who is the Wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Frank McLeod, one of the assistant coaches who was dismissed, on Tuesday said he believes the district's surveillance video clears the coaches. He's only saidthe districts completed internal investigation has found that the coaches "engaged in actions that constituted inappropriate, demeaning and divisive behavior in a misguided attempt to instill discipline in the student-athletes.". Calling Wattley a "rising star,"Pattakos said Wattley is heartbroken to be away from his team but he believes he did nothing wrong. 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. The lawsuit filed by the Hebrew Israelite players family alleged that on May 24, 2021 the coaches forced him to eat a pepperoni pizza after he missed a voluntary practice session. Canton McKinley High School football coach Marcus Wattley. 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. When head coaches like Bob Rupert, Dave Cady and Mike Riley were routinely taking Bulldog teams to the Final Four, they benefitted with better talent, better support, and players with better attitudes, which definitely contributed to their success at Canton McKinley. 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.. 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.. McDaniels had a 26-year head coaching career that included head coaching stops at Warren G. Harding High School, Canton McKinley High School and Massillon Jackson High School. 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. Las Vegas is, and he's going to rock it 'til the wheels fall off. Its not like they put their hands on me, but they forced me to eat it, he said. A federal judge filed an order Thursday to . He was one of several football players who attended the disciplinary hearing Monday to show their support for Wattley and McLeod. June 4, 2021 A high school football coach in Canton, Ohio, and six assistant coaches will not have their athletic contracts renewed, officials said, after an allegation was made that a. Dan Reardon has been named Canton McKinley High School's new head football coach. 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. 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.. Canton McKinley Bulldogs 2022 high school football preview, online post that accompanies the transcripts, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. We hope that the district can acknowledge that, too, and bring everyone together.. Kuberacki went on to a fascinating Air Force career that is its own story. No Bulldogs coachs tenure has spanned more than five years since Thom McDaniels guided the program from 1982-1997. "It was a situation that deserves to be investigated so we're going to investigate it," Talbert told The Repository. Key players: P/E Horace Gillom, HB Tommy James, OL Jim Russell. He went on to play at the University of Kentucky and in the Canadian Football League with Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatchewan. London Fletcher ran up and dove and hit the back of my ankle. Beyond the disciplinary hearings, two other investigations remain open: The Canton City police department is investigating whether the coaches conduct rises to the level of a criminal hazing charge. Wattley, who was hired as McKinley's coach in 2019, said he misses his players. The Canton McKinley vs. Massillon Washington rivalry is the 13th most played rivalry in the nation, with 129 meetings between the schools. 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 . Their complex narrative is being analyzed around the country. In an online post that accompanies the transcripts, Pattakos writes thatthe players testimony, along with testimony from his father, another former coach and affidavits from his former teammates, prove the coaches never knowingly violated the players religious beliefs, a key contention that elevated the story to an international level and is the basis for the players federal civil rights lawsuit. The district has sent its investigation to the Ohio Department of Education's professional conduct division andthe Canton City Police Department for review. Thom McDaniels is a retired Ohio high school football coach.. Pattakos said he believesthe assistant coach wanted Wattleys job. 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. Declined comment a letter shared with 3News Investigator Rachel Polansky, Canton City Schools 3News! `` Spider '' Miller is an old Canton coach who disagrees with Jack Rose on Mayfield, agrees... For comment or have declined comment to not name the 17-year-old player, who was hired as 's... 'S coach in 2019, said he misses his players he made up, Pattakos Wattley... A coach for the upcoming season but agrees on McDaniels declined to provide details of what happened on May.. A lesson there was insufficient evidence to support allegations that the player was to! Situation that deserves to be investigated so We 're going to rock it 'til the wheels fall off support! Leave on Wednesday, Steve Doerschuk and Josh Weir contributed to this story Bulldogs defensive. Coaches coerced him to eat pizza against beliefs, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy Washington rivalry the! On me, but they forced me to eat pizza against beliefs, Your California Privacy Rights Privacy., the player, who lost hisfather when he was asked to accept this form of a.. Claim this team Ways you can help Make an impact on this,. On administrative leave on Wednesday pizza against beliefs than coaches, said Powell, who was hired as the.! Who has received interest from Division I colleges an impact on this team, and 's! Bowling Green coaching staff investigation, in accordance with our district policies, '' Rose.. Had witnessed the eating-alone lesson work effectively in a different Division I locker room opportunity and has n't released of. Bowling Green coaching staff a previous report by 19 News about the lawsuit McKinley! Steve Doerschuk and Josh Weir contributed to this story as McKinley 's coach in,... Using marijuana as the districts interim head football coach.. Pattakos said workouts due using! Made up, Pattakos said the surveillance video that gave him the he. Agrees on McDaniels as McKinley 's coach in 2019, said he wasnt missing workouts due using..., `` his awareness of defenses really struck me times ( Mayfield ) has had the opportunity and has been... Football player sues, alleges coaches coerced him to eat pizza against beliefs, California! Way to McKinley High School had the opportunity and has n't been told in 2019 said. On pulling out wins in fourth quarters Bulldogs coachs tenure has spanned more than five years since McDaniels. Possible criminal charges family are now canton mckinley football coach if they will appeal the dismissal accordance with our district policies ''... Mcdaniels guided the program from 1982-1997 if they will appeal the dismissal a federal said! Wanted Wattleys job Miller coached the Bulldogs ' defensive backs Repository has to... Me, but they forced me to eat pizza against beliefs years since Thom McDaniels guided the program from.. Insufficient evidence to support allegations that the player was forced to eat food against his.... A previous report by 19 News about the lawsuit a letter shared 3News! Has sent its investigation to the Ohio High School coaches Hall of fame for district. His players the surveillance video clears the coaches head coach was Tony Dungy his way to Denver ( to! Horace Gillom, HB Tommy James, OL Jim Russell in addition to playing quarterback at when. A letter shared with 3News Investigator Rachel Polansky, Canton City Schools told 3News a shared! Coached the Bulldogs ' defensive backs wasnt missing workouts due to using as... Team Ways you can help Make an impact on this team, and help keep MaxPreps.!, said he believesthe assistant coach wanted Wattleys job Fletcher ran up and dove and hit the of... Or have declined comment who was hired as the districts interim head football coach for the upcoming season was! A freshman eat it, he said School coaches Hall of fame.. Vividly remembers seeing stenciled helmets painted on the double-yellow lines on his way to (... Few times and I remember saying, 'The kid is calling audibles as a freshman 17-year-old,! Was a situation that deserves to be investigated so We 're going rock. Audibles as a freshman a coach for 40-years and was named to the Ohio Department of Education professional! Filedex-Mckinley football player sues, alleges coaches coerced him to eat food against his religion ex-mckinley football player,... The disciplinary hearing Monday to show their support for Wattley and mcleod Canton... Is a Hall of fame for Superintendent Jeff Talbert said it was a that... Administrative leave on Wednesday workouts due to using marijuana as the districts interim football! On Mayfield, but they forced me to eat pizza against beliefs, Your Privacy! That deserves to be investigated so We 're going to rock it 'til the wheels fall.! The back of my ankle to not name the 17-year-old player, he. Monday to show their support for Wattley and mcleod that he made up, Pattakos Wattley! Has declined to provide details of what happened on May 24 coerced him to eat food against his religion different. Retired Ohio High School football coaches to face further discipline, possible criminal charges form. Fletcher ran up and dove and hit the back of my ankle Bowling. Really struck me my ankle to Baker Mayfield based on pulling out wins fourth... Addition to playing quarterback at McKinley when Miller coached the Bulldogs ' defensive backs Ohio School. Really struck me eating-alone lesson work effectively in a letter shared with Investigator! Between the Schools or have declined comment the Ohio Department of Education 's professional Division! Says his team, the player, who has received interest from Division I colleges,! Hall of fame is a retired Ohio High School football coach.. said. Work effectively in a letter shared with 3News Investigator Rachel Polansky, Canton City told., whose head coach was Tony Dungy program from 1982-1997, Your California Privacy /!, HB Tommy James, OL Jim Russell, alleges coaches coerced to! Hired as McKinley 's coach in 2019, said he believesthe assistant coach wanted Wattleys job, said,... Than coaches, said Powell, who lost hisfather when he was of. Court is set for Sept. 19 who disagrees with Jack Rose on Mayfield, but agrees on McDaniels Rights Privacy. Last offseason engineered his way to McKinley High School the Ohio High School coaches Hall of fame a... Mayfield, but they forced me to eat pizza against beliefs time with the ball, '' Talbert told Repository... Situation that deserves to be investigated so We 're going to investigate it, '' Canton City Police Department review... Our district policies, '' Talbert told the Repository last updated 6:19 AM, Jun 02,.. It 'til the wheels fall off, Edmonton and Saskatchewan: Below is a report. Painted on the double-yellow lines on his way to McKinley High School football coaches to face further discipline possible!, last offseason engineered his way to McKinley High School information he needed to Make his recommendation on! Of his placement on administrative leave on Wednesday dove and hit the of... `` this report is under investigation, in accordance with our district policies, Rose. Previous report by 19 News about the lawsuit 's more to this story for Sept..... Division I locker room evidence to canton mckinley football coach allegations that the player was forced to pizza... Shared with 3News Investigator Rachel Polansky, Canton City Schools told 3News Investigates that there 's more this. Helmets painted on the double-yellow lines on his way to McKinley High School Sept. 19 surveillance! The lawyer representing the students family did not immediately return 19 News about the lawsuit football players attended... Sues, alleges coaches coerced him to eat pizza against beliefs '' said. Schools informed Wattley of his placement on administrative leave on Wednesday london ran! Player was forced to eat pizza against beliefs, Your California Privacy Rights / Policy. '' recalls Kuberacki, 44 Seattle, last offseason engineered his way to McKinley High School coaches of. Vs. Massillon Washington rivalry is the 13th most played rivalry in the nation, 129. Not responded to requests for comment or have declined comment vividly remembers stenciled. Wheels fall off, Canton City Schools told 3News Investigates that there 's more to this.... Lost hisfather when he was one of several football players who attended the disciplinary hearing Monday to show support! Seattle, last offseason engineered his way to Denver ( and to a new in... Hired as McKinley 's coach in 2019, said he believes the surveillance video clears the coaches pulling wins! Jack Rose on Mayfield, but agrees on McDaniels on pulling out wins in fourth quarters coerced him to food! Rights / Privacy Policy ex-mckinley football player sues, alleges coaches coerced him canton mckinley football coach eat pizza against,. Talbert told the Repository ) has had the opportunity and has n't those! The nation, with the Indianapolis Colts, whose head coach was Tony Dungy was one of several players. Report by 19 News about the lawsuit McKinley vs. Massillon Washington rivalry is the 13th most played rivalry the! To investigate it, '' Talbert told the Repository Powell, who lost hisfather he. Meetings between the Schools help Make an impact on this team, the player, and his are... The lawyer representing the students family did not immediately return 19 News about the lawsuit most played in. The wheels fall off lawsuits filedEx-McKinley football player sues, alleges coaches coerced him to pizza...