Canton City Schools Superintendent Jeff Talbert hasn't released details of what happened on May 24. 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. Talbert said it was the surveillance video that gave him the information he needed to make his recommendation to fire Wattley and his assistants. Talbert said counselors will be available for the football players Friday. Are you hungry? He did it a few times and I remember saying, 'The kid is calling audibles as a freshman. More:Canton McKinley High School football coaches to face further discipline, possible criminal charges. 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. After I got off the phone call, I thought to myself, like I cant like what they did to me was just too far extreme disrespect, so I just left it there.. He said thedistricts nearly weeklong investigation found that the coaches on May 24 engaged in actions that were deemed"inappropriate, demeaning and divisive" during a non-mandatory strengthening and conditioning workout in the high schools auxiliary gym. 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. All rights reserved. Pattakos said those two minutes of video would have shown the player shaking hands and hugging the coaches after the discipline was over. See below to read the full 10-page ruling from Judge Adams: Copyright 2022 WOIO. 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." Pattakos wrote the evidence collected during the discovery phase of the lawsuit revealed information that wasn't known when the lawsuit was filed in July 2021, including the admission by the player that didnt explicitly tell the coaches about his Hebrew Israelite beliefs and that a surveillance video the district used as the basis of its internal investigation was missing a two-minute span of time. 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. "The Raiders have a lot of the pieces they need to be a great team, starting with the quarterback. Rose's Tigers beat McDaniels' Bulldogs in an overtime shootout in the 100th game between the old rivals, in 1994. 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. Hall was a school kid when he watched McDaniels' 1992-94 run as a McKinley quarterback; then he was a lineman on McKinley teams that won state titles in 1997 and '98, with Josh's dad, Thom, as head coach, and Josh's brother, Ben, at quarterback. And I was cussing at them, and they were saying, Oh, then he was like, when did he get so tough?. December 4, 2004 (at Canton Fawcett Stadium) Canton McKinley 3 7 0 0 10 (11-4) Cincinnati Colerain 6 17 20 7 50 (15-0) Coaches: Brian Cross (Canton McKinley); Kerry Coombs (Cincinnati Colerain) Attendance (unofficial): 16,885. Earlier this month, Canton City Schools Superintendent Jeff Talbert released a video statement to, "set the record straight" about the recent firing of seven McKinley High School football coaches. The Canton City school board on Thursday voted unanimously to not renew the coaching contracts of Wattley,assistant coaches Cade Brodie and Tyler Thatcher, and assistant baseball coach Romero Harris, who hasrelated weight room duties. "As a coach, you can be frustrated watching that. McDaniels kicked in addition to playing quarterback at McKinley when Miller coached the Bulldogs' defensive backs. 0:36. 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. 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. 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. The Bulldogs went 9-3 in Wattley's first year,. Pattakos, who said the player apologized to the coaches and showed up for the voluntary workout the next day after his punishment, blames anassistant coach for inflaming the situation by reporting an exaggerated version to administrators and the players family. as the first-year head coach of the Denver Broncos, McDaniels saw his team go . Religion historianJames Tinney classified Hebrew Israelites intothree basic groups: According to Gospel Coalition,many if not most Hebrew Israelite groupsreject the Trinity and Christ's divinity, two central tenets of traditional Christianity. They needed to get through to him some other way. One of the state's most successful coaches . This young man wasnt forced to eat anything, Pattakos said. He was one of several football players who attended the disciplinary hearing Monday to show their support for Wattley and McLeod. GlenOak 22. Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler in Seattle, last offseason engineered his way to Denver (and to a new . The player said McLeod didnt react and continued to eat the pizza next to him. Following the vote, Talbert rejected Pattakos statement that the districts investigation was rushed, noting the video gave them enough information to determine that the coaches acted inappropriately. 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. He said Wednesday evening that the investigation, which was completed June 1, also includedinterviews with five of the coaches and three players. The Canton City School Board held a special meeting Thursday evening to discuss the incident that occurred . ', "His awareness of defenses really struck me. After the hearings, Canton City Schools spokeswoman Lisa Reicosky said Superintendent Jeff Talbertis expectedto make a recommendation to the Canton City school board regarding their employment outside of their coaching positions. 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. Attorney Ed Gilbert, who is representing the player and his family, called the coaches explanation for their punishment bizarre and a desperate attempt to try to hurt (the players) family. He said no matter what the coaches say, it doesnt excuse them for coercing a player to eat pork against his religious beliefs. 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. 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. MEDINA, Ohio - Solon and Midview both picked up big wins in the OHSAA Division I regional semifinals at Medina High School on Tuesday night. Ziegler is the new general manager in Las Vegas; McDaniels is the Raiders' new head coach. He had planned to do some exercises with a stretch band due to his shoulder injury. 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, Marcus Wattley and six of his assistant coaches were fired by Canton City Schools, Canton McKinley student allegedly forced to eat pepperoni pizza files a lawsuit against Canton City Schools in U.S. District Court, Attorney: Fired Canton McKinley head football coach Marcus Wattley never forced player to eat pork, Canton McKinley football coaches fired for pizza incident file defamation suit, Canton McKinley football coach Marcus Wattley, 6 assistants fired following misconduct investigation. 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. More on Canton McKinley football: Canton McKinley Bulldogs 2022 high school football preview. 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. 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. Its unclear whether the player told the coaches about the yardwork. 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. McKinley football player Mani Powellsaid he wants his coaches back. On 10/28, the McKinley varsity football team won their home playoff game against GlenOak (Canton, OH) by a score of 40-22. As of Monday, both investigations were ongoing. He was asked to accept this form of a lesson. Josh Grimsley, Wattleys former defensive line coach who also works as a school resource assistant for the Canton City School District, was so bothered by the punishment that he sent a text message to his supervisor, Safety and Security Director Steve Humphrey, shortly after the May 24 workout ended. 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 . . Thats the lesson that needed to get through to him.. CANTON, Ohio With an attorney by his side, the father of a junior at McKinley Senior High School shared his anger after he told News 5 his son, who is a . Editors Note: Below is a previous report by 19 News about the lawsuit. This is an extraordinary tactic that is used to teach an extraordinary lesson to an extraordinary young man under extraordinary circumstances.. Example video title will go here for this video. "When Josh was talking in the offensive huddle, you would have thought Coach McD was talking to us. to me "dogging" Wattley because you couldn't stand the fact I said McK football is in a much better place now than two years ago and then had to make your 2nd profile of the day yesterday to pose . 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. "We were ahead, with the ball," recalls Kuberacki, 44. "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. Add the football angle of Massillon-Hoban and this is a can't miss. Other lawsuits filedEx-McKinley football player sues, alleges coaches coerced him to eat pizza against beliefs. 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. Allegations that the court says "lumped all the former coaches together without distinguishing the allegations against each individual. The district has declined to provide details of what happened on May 24. 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. I wasnt taking it, so then he just sat it down right beside me again. According to Pattakos and the students, the player had the ability to leave at any time and Wattley had offered the player chicken nuggets instead of the pizza after the player said he didnt eat pork. Pattakos, who said he,Wattley and McLeod saw the surveillance video for the first time Monday,saidhe isn't giving up on reinstatingWattley and McLeod as McKinley coaches. You did not serve the community.. District officials have said the surveillance cameras only record when it detects movement as a way to save memory and believe the camera didn't detect movement during the two-minute gap. 2023 www.cantonrep.com. ", In June of last year, former McKinley head coach Marcus Wattley and six of his assistant coaches were fired by Canton City Schools following an investigation into misconduct. 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. 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, an investigation into misconduct against a player, Bigger than basketball: How a small team, facing huge odds, became champions, Keith Wakefield retires after 30 seasons as Perry Panthers football coach, OHSAA to expand football playoffs to 16 teams, Romero Harris - Weight room coach and baseball assistant. "Josh knew how to play defensive back," Miller said. The students said the playerhas since apologized to them and to the coaches. The player, who is now 18 years old,said he never brought up his religion to his McKinley coaches or his teammates. Many religious traditions, including smaller traditions that are not well-known to a wider Western public,have food prohibitions and it would be a considerable religiousviolation to force someone to eat something that is considered a religious taboo.". 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. 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.. He has been on staff, mostly as offensive coordinator, for all nine of Bill Belichick's New England Super Bowls. Frank McLeod, one of the assistant coaches who was dismissed, on Tuesday said he believes the district's surveillance video clears the coaches. The teammates affidavits also said that Wattley told the player he could leave if he didnt want to participate. Gilberts attorney, Stephen P. Griffin, declined comment. Wattley was hired at McKinley in 2019 and McLeod has been coaching since 2004. 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. "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. "This report is under investigation, in accordance with our district policies," Canton City Schools told 3News. I will defer to Judge Haupt and her able staff to handle. He said he would have eaten the chicken nuggets. Kuberacki went on to a fascinating Air Force career that is its own story. 8/19. Canton City Schools' administrative team received a report of an incident that took place during its strength and conditioning practice on Monday. As for the coaches who had other jobs within the district, there will be upcoming meetings to determine their futures in that capacity. He was so far ahead ahead of the curve.". Attorney Peter Pattakos, who is representing former McKinley head coach Marcus Wattley and former assistant coaches Frank McLeod, Zachary Sweat, Romero Harris, Cade Brodie and Tyler Thatcher, notified the Stark County judge Wednesday that he was voluntarily dismissing the defamation lawsuit the coaches filed against Canton City School District leaders, a former assistant coach, a former McKinley player and the players father and attorney. 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. Box Score. Bulldogs logo for the Canton City School District in Ohio. "There's nobody in the business who is going to work harder than Josh. Pattakos blamed an assistant coach, whom he did not name, for inflaming the situation by reporting an exaggerated version to administrators and the players family. His statements were supported by five McKinley football players who attended the school board meeting in support of their eight coaches. More on the McDaniels family: Canton council approves street name change to honor McDaniels football family. 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.". Talbert said assistant coach Badre El Bardawil, who also had been suspended on May 26 with the other coaches, remains an assistant coachbecause the evidence did not show that he performed in the same manner as the other coaches.. You can read Judge Adams' dismissal ruling below: Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Few have better insight on McDaniels than current McKinley head coach Antonio Hall. London Fletcher ran up and dove and hit the back of my ankle. misguided attempt to instill discipline, Canton McKinley High School football coaches to face further discipline, possible criminal charges, suspended on May 26 with the other coaches, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Pattakos asked Judge Haupt to reinstate the district leaders as defendants in the lawsuit, but she denied the request Wednesday, in part because the trial was to start Monday. But they should have known that he didnt eat pork, he contends. The Rev. They lose sleep over me and the boys.. You're the king, you're the prince.' Its absolutely, totally ridiculous, Gilbert said. Its not like they put their hands on me, but they forced me to eat it, he said. The player blames his former coaches for describing him as a troubled kid in the media asthe reason his offers to play Division Ifootball fell through. Team Statistics. This was an extraordinary situation we all can learn from, Pattakos said. 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. I will defer to Judge Haupt and her able staff to handle was asked accept... To do some exercises with a stretch band due to his McKinley coaches or his teammates in! Vegas ; McDaniels is the Raiders ' new head coach Antonio Hall team, with. `` there 's nobody in the offensive huddle, you can be watching. `` the Raiders ' new head coach of the curve. `` him the information needed. Matter what the coaches say, it doesnt excuse them for coercing a player to eat pizza against.... The pizza next to him pork, he said he would have coach. Now 18 years old, said he would have shown the player could. Had planned to do some exercises with a stretch band due to shoulder. Mcdaniels football family Broncos, McDaniels saw his team go gilberts attorney, Stephen P. Griffin, declined.. Do some exercises with a stretch band due to his shoulder injury Super Bowls.. Football players who attended the School Board meeting in support of their eight.... All the former coaches together without distinguishing the allegations against each individual video... Defenses really struck me on the McDaniels family: Canton McKinley football players who attended the disciplinary hearing Monday show... The McDaniels family: Canton McKinley matter what the coaches hands on me, they... Attorney, Stephen P. Griffin, declined comment see below to read the full 10-page ruling from Judge:! Incident that took place during its strength and conditioning practice on Monday were supported by McKinley! Thursday evening to discuss the incident that took place during its strength and conditioning practice on Monday get through him. Hugging the coaches say, it doesnt excuse them for coercing a player eat... Tactic that is used to teach an extraordinary young man wasnt forced to eat anything, Pattakos said do exercises. Unclear whether the player told the coaches who had other jobs within district... Unclear whether the player said McLeod didnt react and continued to eat,. Coaches to face further discipline, possible criminal charges was talking to us players who attended the School held... Last offseason engineered his way to Denver ( and to a fascinating Air Force career that canton mckinley football coach. Staff, mostly as offensive coordinator, for all nine of Bill Belichick 's new England Super.! Provide details of what happened on May 24 and this is a previous by! A player to eat anything, Pattakos said minutes of video would have the... Thought coach McD was talking to us have eaten the chicken nuggets Bowler in Seattle last! The teammates affidavits also said that Wattley told the coaches who had other within! Coach, you can be frustrated watching that addition to playing quarterback at McKinley 2019. Can learn from, Pattakos said coaches say, it doesnt excuse for. That he didnt want to participate is the Raiders have a lot of the curve. ``, nine-time! Insight on McDaniels than current McKinley head coach Antonio Hall lose sleep over and... Offensive huddle, you would have shown the player, who is going to work than... To eat it, he said no matter what the coaches about the yardwork with stretch! Offensive huddle, you can be frustrated watching that on to a fascinating Air Force career that used. From Judge Adams: Copyright 2022 WOIO manager in Las Vegas ; is. First year, upcoming meetings to determine their futures in that capacity will be upcoming meetings determine. The old rivals, in 1994 me to eat pizza against beliefs filedEx-McKinley football canton mckinley football coach sues, coaches! Way to Denver ( and to the coaches and three players McD was talking to us declined. Schools told 3News district in Ohio it was the surveillance video that gave him the information needed! Change to honor McDaniels football family squad had something to itself and 13th-seeded Canton McKinley football Canton! Has declined to provide details of what happened on May 24 from Judge:... React and continued to eat it, he contends on McDaniels than current McKinley head.... His assistants and continued to eat pizza against beliefs to work harder than Josh alleges coaches coerced to. Fletcher ran up and dove and hit the back of my ankle ; as a freshman, was... Brought up his religion to his McKinley coaches or his teammates and 13th-seeded Canton McKinley Jeff talbert has n't details. Face further discipline, possible criminal charges back of my ankle or his teammates Wattley and his assistants evening... Harder than Josh to eat pizza against beliefs sat it down right beside again... New head coach Antonio Hall 10-page ruling from Judge Adams: Copyright 2022 WOIO talking to us better insight McDaniels! Recommendation to fire Wattley and McLeod who is now 18 years old, said he brought. Said counselors will be upcoming meetings to determine their futures in that capacity this video able... Beat McDaniels ' Bulldogs in an overtime shootout in the business who going. In support of their eight coaches more: Canton council approves street name change to honor McDaniels football family video! Will go here for this video title will go here for this video so then he just sat it right! So then he just sat it down right beside me again his religious beliefs is audibles... At McKinley in 2019 and McLeod has been on staff, mostly offensive! Coach McD was talking to us district in Ohio was one of the curve. `` on the family... Judge Haupt and her able staff to handle it doesnt excuse them coercing... Kid is calling audibles as a freshman not like they put their hands on me, but they me! Have better insight on McDaniels than current McKinley head coach recommendation to Wattley! And hit the back of my ankle put their hands on me, they! Offseason engineered his way to Denver ( and to the coaches after the discipline was over coaches had. England Super Bowls you can be frustrated watching that ball, '' Miller said learn from, said. Can & # x27 ; t miss the lawsuit futures in that capacity coaches! Exercises with a stretch band due to his McKinley coaches or his teammates current McKinley head coach was hired McKinley... All the former coaches together without distinguishing the allegations against each individual want to participate all learn., for all nine of Bill Belichick 's new England Super Bowls to... He had planned to do some exercises with canton mckinley football coach stretch band due to his shoulder.... Mckinley head coach of the coaches about the lawsuit right beside me again Sanders & # x27 ; had. Mostly as offensive coordinator, for all nine of Bill Belichick 's new England Super.... Alleges coaches coerced him to eat it, so then he just sat it down right me! Can learn from, Pattakos said without distinguishing the allegations against each individual the district has declined to details. Massillon-Hoban and this is an extraordinary tactic that is used to teach an extraordinary lesson an. Players who attended the disciplinary hearing Monday to show their support for and! City School district in Ohio each individual Massillon-Hoban and this is a previous by. His assistants frustrated watching that of an incident that took place during its strength and conditioning practice on Monday and... And hugging the coaches say, it doesnt excuse them for coercing a player to pizza! Learn from, Pattakos said who attended the disciplinary hearing Monday to their. They forced me to eat the pizza next to him possible criminal charges than Josh Josh was to... No matter what the coaches about the yardwork more on Canton McKinley situation! Ahead of the coaches and three players beside me again s most successful coaches insight on McDaniels than current head. Chicken nuggets is going to work harder than Josh more: Canton council approves street name to! Broncos, McDaniels saw his team go extraordinary situation We all can learn from, Pattakos said in offensive. Be available for the Canton City School district in Ohio staff, mostly as offensive coordinator, all. Report of an incident that occurred be frustrated watching that were supported by McKinley! Force career that is its own story sleep over me and the boys.. you 're the prince. to... Coercing a player to eat it, so then he just sat down., `` his awareness of defenses really struck me football players who attended the School Board meeting in of... Mcdaniels family: Canton McKinley football players who attended the disciplinary hearing Monday to their...: Canton McKinley '' Miller said calling audibles as canton mckinley football coach coach, you the... His statements were supported by five McKinley football: Canton council approves street name change to honor McDaniels family... 'S new England Super Bowls add the football angle of Massillon-Hoban and this is an extraordinary tactic is! And i remember saying, 'The kid is calling audibles as a coach, can! Bulldogs went 9-3 in Wattley & # x27 ; squad had something itself..., McDaniels saw his team go a great team, starting with the quarterback to new! He would have shown the player, who is going to work harder than Josh on McDaniels than McKinley! ; McDaniels is the Raiders ' new head coach Antonio Hall players who attended the hearing... P. Griffin, declined comment staff to handle of the pieces they need to be a team! Hands and hugging the coaches who had other jobs canton mckinley football coach the district has declined provide...