The father of a Brooklyn teenager accused of sexual assault in a football hazing incident claims it was just a case of “horseplay”. He shared locker room footage that showed his 14-year-old son and other players engaging in similar pranks. The incident involved “pantsing” where players would pull each other’s pants down. The father stated that his son was left traumatized after being arrested, and he believed it was all part of a game that was played on multiple players.
The father, identified as Hunter, shared that his son claimed innocence when questioned by the dean, saying that everyone was playing the pantsing game and he was also a victim of it. Video footage from the locker room showed several players participating in this type of hazing, with one player being punched and kicked lightly by others. The school and the NYPD took the incident seriously after the mother of one of the alleged victims reported it to the authorities. Three junior varsity players, aged 13, 14, and 15, were arrested and charged by the police.
James Madison High School canceled the football team’s games in light of the incident. The school and the NYC Department of Education did not immediately respond to requests for comments. The victim’s mother declined to speak with the media, and the JV coach and athletic department also refused to comment. The father of one of the accused players criticized the school for firing the coach and questioned why these incidents were being taken so seriously, as he viewed it as harmless horseplay among young kids.
The father expressed his belief that his son, who was dedicated to his schoolwork, football, and practices, should not be facing serious consequences for what he considered harmless behavior. The incident has shed light on previous controversies surrounding James Madison High School, including a pending lawsuit by a mother who claims the football coach assaulted her son. The former football coach is facing assault and menacing charges, which are still unresolved. In 2015, a teacher at the school was accused of having inappropriate relations with students.
The incident at James Madison High School involving football hazing has sparked debates about the nature of such pranks and how they should be handled by schools and authorities. While the accused players claimed it was all part of a game, the alleged victims and their families viewed it as a serious offense that required police involvement. The case, involving minors, is expected to be handled in Family Court if it proceeds further. The ongoing controversies at the school, including previous legal issues with faculty members, suggest a pattern of misconduct that needs to be addressed by the authorities.
