Youth coach in St. Louis County shoves 11-year-old player

from KSDK-TV (St. Louis)

Youth coach in St. Louis County shoves 11-year-old player
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Story Published: Oct 5, 2008 at 11:51 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 6, 2008 at 11:54 AM CST

By Michelle Leroux

Video
CHESTERFIELD, MO -- Police in this St. Louis suburb are investigating what happened after a recent football game. It was caught on home video.

While the two club teams were shaking hands, a coach appears to shove an 11-year-old of the other team by the facemask, knocking him to the ground. The boy was not injured but his father took the matter to the Chesterfield Police.

The coach in question told a reporter that he felt justified because of some of the events that took place during the game. Police say they will turn over their findings to prosecutors in the next few days.

Tuesday, Oct 21 at 2:05 PM booger eater wrote ...

I would have thanked the coach for pointing the error of his ways out to my son and then I would have had my son go pick a switch and we would have headed home to give my son a first class whipping for being a sore looser. He also would have said sorry to all involved. Teach your kids to be men, not SORE loosers.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 5:34 PM someone who knows him wrote ...

He's a good person. And father. He made a mistake. Try forgiveness.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 7:18 PM Kevin wrote ...

I completely agree with the comment by 4:11 PM Mom: "Teacher's standards of conduct do not apply to couches." How true 4:11PM Mom... how true.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 7:57 AM N & D wrote ...

As I read the Post Dispatch this morning, Mr. Deavenport describes his son as polite. But as I read the comment from a parent whose kid was punched by Wesley as they were going through the line, maybe he's not as polite as his dad thinks he is. And in fact, at 11 years old, if he said what they say he did, this kid should be kicked off of the team instead of putting all the blame on the coach for trying to correct this kid for saying something totally inappropriate for an 11 year old.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 5:57 AM dd85 wrote ...

I wonder what the kids Coach was doing that he didn't see what the kid was doing, and put a stop to it. He should not have been hitting the other team when going through the handshack, Good Game line.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 12:06 AM Dad of one of the players wrote ...

I saw what happened. I was standing on the sideline. The Davenport kid was going through the walk-through line punching kids and taunting them. My kid got punched by Davenport. The coach should have pulled that kid out of line and taken him to his coach or parents. I'm not going to press charges against the Davenport kid who punched my kid. Everyone is making a big deal out of this. The coach apologized and resigned, now leave him alone for making a mistake.

Monday, Oct 6 at 6:01 PM djsrthomas wrote ...

If it's true that this kid called the coach a bad name, he is lucky he's not my kid...he would have gotten worse than being pushed to the ground with a helmet and pads on. However, I would have punished MY kid, not someone else's. A grown adult should be more mature than to let the words of an 11 year old bother him so badly.

Monday, Oct 6 at 5:42 PM tammy wrote ...

i really dont care what the child said the coach should never touch that child

Monday, Oct 6 at 4:47 PM Randy Baker wrote ...

I am always amazed how many worship at the altar of sports ego. He should be sent away for assault and battery and anyone defending him in anyway should hang their head in shame.

Monday, Oct 6 at 4:20 PM Parent wrote ...

Parents stop allowing couches to abuse your children in the name of sports!

Monday, Oct 6 at 4:17 PM elli wrote ...

How can people laugh at the kid in these comments? Adults are responsible. As a mother, if my kid at any age was physically touched by an adult, I would not tolerate it. Obviously this coach has psychological problems, he let an 11 year old get to him. If the kid was a problem, take it up with the other coach like an adult and talk it out.

Monday, Oct 6 at 4:11 PM Mom wrote ...

Couches are out of control. Parents and students are told before each high school game "sports are an extension of the classroom". However, teacher's standards of conduct to do not apply to couches. My child's high school couch spit in her face. What are we teaching our children. Sportsmanship and respect are a thing of the past. Parents beware, sports can be more than physically harmful to your child.

Monday, Oct 6 at 3:11 PM Proud Parent wrote ...

Are you people idiots? The coach was WRONG. Plain and simple. Justice was NOT served. That is so sad that a grown MAN had to act like a FOOL in front of all of those children. This is EXACTLY why our society is full of criminals. They learn from their parents. Parents CANNOT live by the "Do as I say and not as I do" philosophy. I bet if that was his kid that got shoved to the ground he would have been mad. We need to teach our children to act the way the should instead of like a FOOL!!

Monday, Oct 6 at 2:41 PM Me Me wrote ...

It was just a game. He should have not shoved the child what kind of message does that send to are kids. It is ok to be a bully just like the coach was. Let the coach go. He does not need to be working around kids if he going to treat kids that way. It was just a game!

Monday, Oct 6 at 2:18 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Haha, I bet the stupid kid deserved it. Everyone needs to chill out.

Monday, Oct 6 at 2:05 PM Chris wrote ...

I would have took matters into my own hands out in the parking lot with the coach. Too many people rely on the already swamped police departments too much. That's justice.....

Monday, Oct 6 at 1:37 PM Al wrote ...

According to the report the kid told the coach "you F'n s***". If that's true, the kid got what he deserved. If he were my son, he would have gotten worse than a shove from me when he got home.

Monday, Oct 6 at 1:27 PM Kathryn wrote ...

The word "justified" is unbelievable that a supposed "adult" shoved a kid knocking him to the ground. I am sorry, but to take this kind of action by a coach is wrong. There definitely needs to be something done but the father was right in bringing attention to this matter. The coach is lucky that the young man still had all his equipment on and thus suffered no injuries. My comment to the coach is GROW UP, you immature thing!!!!

Monday, Oct 6 at 1:21 PM jess wrote ...

send the coach to jail or maybe the electric chair.Get real every one wants to sue teach your child be a man not a cry baby

Monday, Oct 6 at 12:52 PM George's Momma wrote ...

George your comment is pathetic. You should be ashamed!! Do you have children? Or are you a bully yourself? Lord help us!

Monday, Oct 6 at 12:17 PM Tammy wrote ...

To football mom--the key words to your statement is KIDS. The coach isn't a kid!!! He should have more control. How is he being a role model for these kids. If he was my childs coach. Well he wouldn't be anymore. I want someone with better morals than he showed. We teach our kids that they on not to put their hands on each other. What is our world coming too when a grown man pushes a 11 year old to the ground and feels justified. Drug test him!!!!

Monday, Oct 6 at 11:05 AM George wrote ...

hahaha that kid fell so hard. I bet he was being a fool on the field and the coach had to let him know it. Justice was served.

Monday, Oct 6 at 10:50 AM Alan wrote ...

It's not child abuse. It's assault. The coach needs to be fired.

Monday, Oct 6 at 9:52 AM Jeff wrote ...

It's child abuse, plain and simple. The parents should press charges. If it was my child, the coach would have been in jail already.

Monday, Oct 6 at 9:44 AM CJ wrote ...

How ridiculous..What is wrong with this coach? One word for this man and it is ADULT BULLY!!!

Monday, Oct 6 at 9:42 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Isn't a coach supposed to teach sportsmanship also? As and adult he is in control of his actions, and should not under any circumstances push, shove or hit any player. I sure wouldn't want him for a mentor, coach,or teacher. Hey coach--it's only a GAME, let's teach our kids how to enjoy sports and good sportsmanship (that includes manners and ability to control your temper).

Monday, Oct 6 at 9:04 AM concerned wrote ...

to football mom--seriously...you think it is ok for a grown man to push a kid to the ground? Sure, its football, but that is one kid pushing another, not a grown man. He has no excuse. He was 11 years old, a little kid.

Monday, Oct 6 at 8:57 AM jkirk wrote ...

even bobby knight started somewhere. An adult shoving an eleven year old???? Sounds like someone needs some mental help!

Monday, Oct 6 at 8:17 AM Curt H wrote ...

Bad move coach,If your that wrapped up in the mighty mite competition to assault an opposing player after the game. Step down, buy a ticket and get in the stands. I can only imagine how mad the boys dad is.

Monday, Oct 6 at 8:09 AM football mom wrote ...

I think everyone is over reacting. The coach shouldn't have pushed the player, but he wasn't hurt. He should be reprimanded, but I think leagal action is over the top. It's football they bash into each other the whole game. I've been to many where some kid grabs the others face masks etc. and not a word is said or a whistle blown the whole game.

Monday, Oct 6 at 7:32 AM Mark wrote ...

I wonder what goes on in his own home? He should now be registered as a child abuser.

Monday, Oct 6 at 7:04 AM LARRY wrote ...

THANKFULLY, IT WASN'T MY KID. THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOME REALLY "JUSTIFIED" RECOURSE. HE SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO COACH OR BE AROUND THE ATHLETES AGAIN. DON'T TAKE IT OUT ON HIS KID THOUGH, IF HE/SHE WAS A PLAYER.

Monday, Oct 6 at 6:55 AM shaamex wrote ...

When we have adults like this, how are the kids going to learn to conduct themselves with others. Sometimes there is physical contact between coaches and children. I want to know that a coach however well intentioned has control of him or herself. Shoving or leaving visible bruises on a child up to a month or longer can not be the standard. Once its reported don't expect any kind of formal apology and even if its gets thru the grapevine its not the same.

Monday, Oct 6 at 5:11 AM Prestresed Monk wrote ...

The Coach should have been arrested then and made to take a drug and alcohol test.

Monday, Oct 6 at 2:58 AM CONCERNED PARENT wrote ...

AND THIS IS AN ADULT RIGHT? HE FELT JUSTIFIED? HELLO YOUR AN ADULT GROW UP!!! I AGREE WITH ANN DONT TAKE MATTERS INTO YOUR OWN HANDS! THATS WHAT THE REFEREES ARE THERE FOR. TO THE PARENT OF THE CHILD THAT THIS HAPPEN TO I HOPE YOU PUSH AND TAKE IT ALL THE WAY DONT LET THIS FOOL GET AWAY WITH THIS.

Monday, Oct 6 at 1:22 AM Ann wrote ...

What a pathetic excuse for a grown man, let alone a coach. No matter a child's actions during a game - go to the referees, the parents, the league - not physical abuse. What a moronic act.

Monday, Oct 6 at 1:09 AM cyndi wrote ...

Justified my a**, you dont touch a child in that fashion....ever.

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