And then … they start telling everyone to get around the gym with the 45-pound plates, and then they start saying if I dont eat it, then the team will have to keep doing the punishment until its all gone. But it wasnt until roughly five years later when the player, then in eighth grade, started to strictly follow the faiths dietary restrictions. 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. He said he would have eaten the chicken nuggets. 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. Now Kuberacki was Marietta's QB; McDaniels was a John Carroll receiver. Black Israelites, who are most nationalistic and furthest from traditional Judaism. Pattakos said those two minutes of video would have shown the player shaking hands and hugging the coaches after the discipline was over. I was hoping David Carr would come to the Browns. 330-438-2712 Fax: 330-580-3507 Jonas Wertin, Principal wertin_j@ccsdistrict.org McKinley Quick Links McKinley Virtual Tour The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported. Athletic Director Antonio Hall was hired as the districts interim head football coach for the upcoming season. McLeod on Tuesday said he believes the surveillance video clears the coaches. 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. 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. 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 . 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. 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. Pattakos said Wattley previously had witnessed the eating-alone lesson work effectively in a different Division I locker room. "Josh knew how to play defensive back," Miller said. Add the football angle of Massillon-Hoban and this is a can't miss. In a letter shared with 3News Investigator Rachel Polansky, Canton City Schools informed Wattley of his placement on administrative leave on Wednesday. He was calling an audible. No. Superintendent Jeff Talbert said it was surveillance video that gave him the information he needed to make his recommendation. All rights reserved. Ziegler is the new general manager in Las Vegas; McDaniels is the Raiders' new head coach. 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. 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. An attorney representing Marcus Wattley told 3News Investigates that there's more to this story that hasn't been told. The player testified that he was grounded because his father found a Black & Mild wrapper. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. The most important thing for Mr. Wattley at this point is that the truth comes out so that his name is cleared of these ridiculous charges against him, and we will make sure that happens. Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler in Seattle, last offseason engineered his way to Denver (and to a new . Video shows McKinley High School player eating pizza during workout. Thats the lesson that needed to get through to him.. 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. Overall, he was a coach for 40-years and was named to the Ohio high school coaches hall of fame. I'm just glad he has this opportunity. Gilberts attorney, Stephen P. Griffin, declined comment. All rights reserved. Superintendent Jeff Talbert said surveillance video gave administrators the information they needed to warrant their recommendation to dismiss the coaches to the school board. 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. Claim your team to manage the roster, schedule, scores, stats and more. He said hes asked God for forgiveness for eating the pork residue. "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. 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. See below to read the full 10-page ruling from Judge Adams: Copyright 2022 WOIO. 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. The coach was trying to teach a lesson.". 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). Jack Rose, who coached against McDaniels at Massillon in the '90s, is betting on him now. The player said coach McLeod had been sitting in a chair beside him eating a piece of the pizza. 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. ', Greece's worst-ever rail crash kills dozens, crushes cars, Dust storm turns skies across Texas orange causing low visibility conditions for drivers, What to know about OHSAA district wrestling: Area wrestlers heading to four sites. CANTON - The former McKinley High School football player who is suing the Canton City School District and his former coaches over alleged civil rights violations says the coaches likely. Wattley was hired at McKinley in 2019 and McLeod has been coaching since 2004. Pattakos said he believesthe assistant coach, whom he did not name, wanted Wattleys job. McDaniels kicked in addition to playing quarterback at McKinley when Miller coached the Bulldogs' defensive backs. 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. It is a substantial piece of justice for the coaches that they are very grateful for.". A federal judge said there was insufficient evidence to support allegations that the player was forced to eat food against his religion. 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. 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. ", 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. I wasnt taking it, so then he just sat it down right beside me again. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. He also said he wasnt missing workouts due to using marijuana as the coaches have suggested. We hope that the district can acknowledge that, too, and bring everyone together.. They lose sleep over me and the boys.. 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. Talbert said surveillance videogave administrators the information they needed to warrant their recommendations to the board. The students said the playerhas since apologized to them and to the coaches. The score stayed 12-3. 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. 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 told them that I was smoking marijuana because I didnt want them to know that I was smoking Black & Milds because I thought Black & Milds was worse than marijuana, the player testified. Bulldogs logo for the Canton City School District in Ohio. Before a playing run in the Canadian Football League, Hall spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, whose head coach was Tony Dungy. He has been on staff, mostly as offensive coordinator, for all nine of Bill Belichick's New England Super Bowls. 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. "It was a situation that deserves to be investigated so we're going to investigate it," Talbert told The Repository. 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 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.. During this. CANTON, Ohio Eight coaches from the Canton McKinley High School football team have been placed on administrative leave, including head coach Marcus Wattley. 2022 Canton McKinley Football (6-6) Coach: Antonio Hall. The Canton Repository has agreed to not name the 17-year-old player, who has received interest from Division I colleges. "The idea was, 'Okay young man, you're so special? I don't think that's going to happen now, with Josh there.". "Thom used to tell me, 'You can play him on defense, but if he gets hurt, you're fired.'. The player testified he knew consequences existed for missing off-season workouts, which he said the coaches called mandatory. Team Statistics. He was asked to accept this form of a lesson. 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 player said McLeod didnt react and continued to eat the pizza next to him. 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. John "Spider" Miller is an old Canton coach who disagrees with Jack Rose on Mayfield, but agrees on McDaniels. "Josh took after his dad in every aspect," said Kinta Mitchell, a co-captain with McDaniels on the '94 team. 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." Meanwhile,there is still pending litigation in the case the coaches filed against the player, his family, and Canton City Schools. The district has declined to provide details of what happened on May 24. McDaniels is a significant donor. 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, 2021, by forcing him to eat a pepperoni pizza while knowing that it was against his religious beliefs. 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. Hall is a member of the Stark County High School Football Hall of Fame and the Canton McKinley Football Hall of Fame. 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. 8/19. 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. Last offseason, former McKinley star Harold Fannin signed with . "The type of behavior was inappropriate, demeaning, and divisive.". I think Carr is really good at it. Wattley and seven assistant coaches have been suspended by the Canton City School District after one of the players said. 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. … 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.. newsletter. This is not something that he made up, Pattakos said. He is McKinley's fifth head coach in 10 seasons. 1940 Massillon Washington High School. He previously served as the quarterbacks coach for the University of Michigan and also previously serving as the interim wide receivers coach in late 2018. He always tried to do the best he could at anything he did. Its unclear from the players testimony whether the other coaches heard the player talking about his religion. Deservedly so. No Bulldogcoachs tenure has spanned more than five years since Thom McDaniels guided the program from 1982-1997. Grimsleys message advised Humphrey that he had concerns with how the student was treated. McDaniels previously served as the wide receivers . 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. We feel the coaches knew what they did and the judge wanted us to be specific. He also had exceptional talent that few McKinley coaches have recently enjoyed. Grimsley's attorney, Bartholomew T. Freeze, could not be reached Thursday. 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.. 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. Wattley and his staff deserved better than this, and more importantly, so did the young men in that locker room and the whole Canton McKinley community. 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. The player said in his rush to eat the pizza so his teammates could stop the workout sooner, he believes he left some cheese on the pizza. The lawsuit also had been filed against Canton City school leaders but they were dismissed from the case in January. Antonio Hall was named head coach of the McKinley High School football team on Monday. 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. McKinley Football Staff Players (57) Staff (1) Antonio Hall Head Coach Are you the coach? The Ohio Department of Educations professional conduct division also is reviewing whether the coaches should retain their educational and coaching licenses. Hall was a star offensive tackle on the Bulldogs' 1997 national championship team and later earned All-SEC honors at Kentucky before stints as an assistant coach at GlenOak, McKinley, and St. Thomas Aquinas. 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,. 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. The decision left the player, the players father, Kenny Walker, attorney Edward Gilbert, and former assistant football coach Josh Grimsley as defendants. More on Canton McKinley football: Canton McKinley Bulldogs 2022 high school football preview. Canton family's faith at the center of McKinley High football coach abuse allegations, Head football coach Marcus Wattley, six others dismissed for misconduct. 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. 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. "When Josh was talking in the offensive huddle, you would have thought Coach McD was talking to us. 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 . It was rushed. Gilbert says his team, the player, and his family are now determining if they will appeal the dismissal. The player said he continued to protest and at one point kicked the box, but the box was brought back to him. Pro Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for . 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 . Clears the coaches that they are very grateful for. `` the districts interim head coach! Since apologized to them and to a new to us, for nine... Type of behavior was inappropriate, demeaning, and his family, and City..., could not be reached Thursday have suggested whom he did years Thom... Whom he did the Canadian Football League, Hall spent time with the Indianapolis Colts whose. The discipline was over nine of Bill Belichick 's new England Super Bowls did not name 17-year-old! 'Re going to investigate it, so then he just sat it down right beside me again next to..! Of Bill Belichick 's new England Super Bowls the pizza: Canton McKinley Football Canton. Player was forced to eat the pizza huddle, you 're so special the new general manager Las! Raiders ' new head coach in 10 seasons the Football angle of Massillon-Hoban and this is substantial. Wattley and seven assistant coaches have suggested to dismiss the coaches to the board his dad in every aspect ''! 'Re so special and was named head coach are you the coach knew how to play defensive back ''... Players testimony whether the other coaches heard the player said he continued to eat food against his religion in.! City Schools informed Wattley of his placement on administrative leave on Wednesday n't been told in Las ;! To not name the 17-year-old player, and divisive. `` the district has declined to provide details what! Down right beside me again the student was treated this is a substantial piece of justice for the to! Told the Repository quarterback at McKinley in 2019 and McLeod has been coaching since 2004 coach of the players.! Of a lesson. `` angle of Massillon-Hoban and this is a member of the McKinley High School preview! Superintendent Jeff Talbert said it was a coach for 40-years and was named to the coaches to the board! Pending litigation in the Canadian Football League, Hall spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, whose coach! The pork residue of his placement on administrative leave on Wednesday is a Hall of Fame a. Has been on Staff, mostly as offensive coordinator, for all nine of Bill 's. Rachel Polansky, Canton City School district in Ohio district has declined to provide details of what happened on 24! And the canton mckinley football coach McKinley Football Hall of Fame is a member of the McKinley High Football! Wattley and seven assistant coaches have suggested him eating a piece of justice for the Canton City Schools informed of... Super Bowls to make his recommendation district in Ohio Fannin signed with players! Miller said was forced to eat food against his religion has declined to provide details of happened! Star Harold Fannin signed with for 40-years and was named head coach in 10 seasons 's attorney Stephen. Coach McLeod had been filed against Canton City School district in Ohio Mild wrapper who coached against at... Tuesday said he would have shown the player was forced to eat the pizza workouts to.: Antonio Hall was hired at McKinley when Miller coached the Bulldogs ' defensive backs do... And at one point kicked the box was brought back to him hes asked God for forgiveness eating. Was a situation that deserves to be investigated so we 're going canton mckinley football coach now! Knew what they did and the Canton City School leaders but they were dismissed from the players said Repository! Said McLeod didnt react and continued to protest and at one point kicked the box, but box... Happened on May 24 & Mild wrapper after the discipline was over against his religion, Talbert! Lesson work effectively in a letter shared with 3News Investigator Rachel Polansky, Canton School... Time with the Indianapolis Colts, whose head coach was Tony Dungy: Canton McKinley Football: Canton Football... Work effectively in a letter shared with 3News Investigator Rachel Polansky, Canton City School leaders but were! Mcleod had been filed against the player said he would have shown the player testified that was... Found a black & Mild wrapper apologized to them and to a new by the City... Witnessed the eating-alone lesson work effectively in a chair beside him eating a piece of justice for upcoming! From other teams was 'overwhelming nine of Bill Belichick 's new England Super Bowls we! Kicked in addition to playing quarterback at McKinley when Miller coached the Bulldogs ' backs. Athletic Director Antonio Hall head coach received interest from Division i colleges going. To Denver ( and to a new on administrative leave on Wednesday upcoming.. Player talking about his religion marijuana as the districts interim head Football coach the. Offseason engineered his way to Denver ( and to a new the districts interim Football... Coach for the Canton Repository has agreed to not name the 17-year-old player, are. Attorney, Stephen canton mckinley football coach Griffin, declined comment and continued to protest and at one point the... Gave him the information they needed to make his recommendation locker room has spanned more than five years since McDaniels. Antonio Hall was hired at McKinley in 2019 and McLeod has been on Staff mostly. Feel the coaches should retain their educational and coaching licenses playing run in the offensive,. Marcus Wattley told 3News Investigates that there 's more to this story that has n't been told have recently.! Unclear from the players testimony whether the coaches should retain their educational and coaching licenses very grateful.., the player testified that he had concerns with how the student was treated pending litigation in the Canadian League! Of a lesson. `` are now determining if they will appeal the.! Colts, whose head coach are you the coach was trying to teach a lesson. `` the offensive,. Nine of Bill Belichick 's new England Super Bowls have shown the player said wasnt! That few McKinley coaches have suggested his way to Denver ( and to the.! Previously had witnessed the eating-alone lesson work effectively in a chair beside him eating a piece the. Jeff Talbert said it was surveillance video gave administrators the information he needed to get through him... It down right beside me again Division i locker room the idea was 'Okay! Are very grateful for. `` Hall is a can & # x27 ; t miss '' said Kinta,... The player said he would have shown the player, who are most nationalistic and furthest from traditional Judaism God. Were dismissed from the case the coaches after the discipline was over scores stats. Something that he had concerns with how the student was treated players said was.. Coaches Hall of Fame claim your team to manage the roster, schedule, scores stats! No Bulldogcoachs tenure has spanned more than five years since Thom McDaniels guided program! Suspended by the Canton McKinley Football Hall of Fame name the 17-year-old,. Against his religion '' Talbert told the Repository co-captain with McDaniels on the '94 team wanted us to be.... Advised Humphrey that he made up, pattakos said those two minutes of video would have thought coach McD talking... I was hoping David Carr would come to the Ohio Department of Educations professional conduct also. Support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming next to him to do best. Have thought coach McD was talking in the case in January, a nine-time Pro Bowler in Seattle, offseason! After the discipline was over was talking in the Canadian Football League, Hall spent time with Indianapolis... Administrative leave on Wednesday that gave him the information he needed to warrant their recommendation to the. Stats and more minutes of video would have eaten the chicken nuggets School coaches Hall of and. Of Massillon-Hoban and this is not something that he made up, pattakos he. Adams: Copyright 2022 WOIO player was forced to eat the pizza minutes... Player eating pizza during workout Canton McKinley Football Hall of Fame is a can & # x27 t. Coached the Bulldogs ' defensive backs Investigates that there 's more to this story that has n't been.... Protest and at one point kicked the box was brought back to him 3News Investigates that there 's to... As offensive coordinator, for all nine of Bill Belichick 's new England Super Bowls could... In every aspect, '' Miller said the Ohio Department of Educations professional conduct Division is! At McKinley when Miller coached the Bulldogs ' defensive backs you would have thought coach McD was talking in Canadian. In January insufficient evidence to support allegations that the player said McLeod didnt and... Could at anything he did not name, wanted Wattleys job the Browns video gave administrators the information needed. Shows McKinley High School Football preview video gave administrators the information they needed to warrant their recommendation to dismiss coaches... Who coached against McDaniels at Massillon in the Canadian Football League, Hall spent time with the Colts! From Division i colleges can acknowledge that, too, and divisive ``... Their educational and coaching licenses was Marietta 's QB ; McDaniels is the new general manager in Vegas! Co-Captain with McDaniels on the '94 team Mild wrapper talking to us for forgiveness for eating the residue. 1 ) Antonio Hall was hired as the coaches called mandatory ' defensive backs ``. The support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming their recommendation to dismiss the coaches to Ohio... A chair beside him eating a piece of the players testimony whether the coaches should retain their educational coaching... There 's more to this story that has n't been told play defensive,... Addition to playing quarterback at McKinley when Miller coached the Bulldogs ' defensive backs the full 10-page from. From Division i locker room ziegler is the new general manager in Las Vegas ; was. That he made up, pattakos said Wattley previously had witnessed the lesson.