School suspends football coach after locker room assault

SOURCE: The Associated Press

The parents of an Alabama freshman who broke his arm in a brutal hazing incident by the high school’s football team are suing the school district for $12 million. (CENTERED): Rodney Kim, Jr., 14, had just made the varsity football team at Davidson High School – a feat for a freshman – when the violent beating took place in the boy’s locker room on Friday, April 27, 2018. A video of the hazing ritual went viral, displaying a circle of young men punching the freshman crumpled on the ground and jumping on top of him. Kim’s parents (RIGHT) Mary Rayford-Kim and (LEFT) Rodney Kim Sr. announced they are suing the Mobile County Board of Education. (AP)

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) – An Alabama school system has placed a prep football coach on leave after players were videotaped beating a teammate in a locker room.

Mobile County schools spokeswoman Rena Phillips tells news outlets the action against Davidson High School coach Fred Riley is effective immediately.

Nine players have been suspended and a $12 million lawsuit was filed after video showed a then-freshman quarterback being beaten in April in what his parents say was a hazing attack.

The young player suffered a broken arm, and police say they were called about an assault complaint.

The school spokeswoman wouldn’t comment on the action against the coach, and Riley hasn’t commented on being placed on leave. But he told reporters last month he planned to keep coaching.

The team began fall practice Monday.

Davidson High School Coach Fred Riley suspended.

 

(LEFT – RIGHT): LaQuinton William Jr., Ellis Wright, and Alex Sullivan participated in hazing freshman quarterback, Rodney Kim, Jr. (Mobile County Metro Jail