Shocking video shows assistant football coach punching a Florida high school student in the middle of the game as he ran off the field

• The coach, who has not yet been identified, was fired after video of the stunning incident went viral 
• The player for Tampa-area Jesuit High School – a private Catholic school – appears to be running off to the sidelines when the coach hits him
• The incident is the latest in viral moments from football games across the country showing violence not only on the field, but off of it as well   

A Florida high school football assistant coach was fired after he was seen on video punching one of his team’s teenage players in the middle of last Friday night’s game. 

The coach, who has not yet been identified, was fired after video of the shocking incident was posted by former NFL player Kevin Hobbs to X and went viral.  

The player for Tampa-area Jesuit High School – a private Catholic school – appears to be running off to the sidelines, as the team attempts to complete a late substitution.

As he reaches the sidelines, the assistant coach clearly punches the boy in the helmet. 

‘A coaches’ role extends beyond shaping young athletes into great football players; it’s about molding them into exceptional individuals within our society. You should NEVER reach a point where you find it necessary to engage in this,’ Hobbs wrote.

A Florida high school football assistant coach was fired after he was seen on video punching one of his own team’s teenage players in the middle of last Friday night’s game

https://youtube.com/watch?v=8_N2omPNgw8%3Frel%3D0

As the video – which Hobbs punctuated by writing ‘#shameful’ – continues, the coach continues to walk over and yell at the student for several seconds.

The coach then leaves the player wearing number 94 and starts yelling at another group of players who were about to substitute on the field. It’s unclear what exactly upset the assistant coach. 

The punch took place during a heated rivalry game between Jesuit High School and Tampa Catholic, which Jesuit won 66-35.  

Jesuit Coach Matt Thompson would not comment on the incident when asked about it after the game, only telling reporters ‘the matter is being addressed,’ according to the Tampa Bay Times. 

The coach is a part-time employee of the school and was let go by the team in the wake of the incident on Sunday night.

Jesuit High School President Reverend Richard Hermes explained the incident in communication with parents and families who attend. 

The coach’s ‘behavior contradicts what the school stands for and is completely contrary to the expectations we have for coaches, moderators, and faculty members, who are to be role models for our students and mentors in their development as young men,’ Hermes wrote.

The school noted that the player was not injured and the student and the family have been in contact with the school since the incident. 

The player for Tampa-area Jesuit High School – a private Catholic school – appears to be running off to the sidelines, as the team attempts to complete a late substitution

‘We have met with the coach and informed him that he will no longer be coaching Jesuit football or assisting the school in any other capacity,’ Hermes added. 

‘The mission of Jesuit is to provide a Christian formation and education for our students.’ 

‘This requires that we maintain an environment for them that is safe, supportive, and conducive to their well-being and growth. This standard applies to all activities, inside and outside the classroom.’ 

He finished the letter by saying the school will conduct a full review of internal procedures and staff training. 

It’s unclear if the coach faces any potential legal action stemming from the punch.

Videos of violence at football games – ranging from youth to the NFL – have been going viral on social media in recent weeks. 

One incident saw a Los Angeles Raiders fan punched and thrown down the stairs by a Los Angeles Chargers supporter 

On Saturday, a member of the Texas Southern University marching band was filmed punching a fan in the stands. 

The video shows the fan yelling at the band player, where the musician holding a tuba delivers four blows to the spectator. It’s unclear what led to the dispute in the viral video. 

At the NFL level, the Giants, the 49ers, the Bengals, the Commanders, the Rams, the Broncos, the Ravens and the Seahawks have all seen nasty scenes – in the stands or around the stadium – go viral.

A 53-year-old New England Patriots supporter died after being beaten by a Miami Dolphins fan – though an autopsy revealed Dale Mooney may have succumbed to a ‘medical issue.’ 

In a statement to Mail Sport, the NFL said: ‘Our top priority is the safety of the more than one million fans who attend games each week. We deplore the activities of a handful of fans who interfere with the enjoyment of others.’

A recent survey found nearly 40 percent of NFL fans have witnessed criminality at or around an NFL stadium; around one in 14 has been a victim themselves. Nowhere have fans seen more disorder (63 percent) than at Lincoln Financial Field – home of the Philadelphia Eagles. The most common crime witnessed? Physical violence. 

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