A youth flag football coach in Wellington, Florida, was arrested after deputies said a postgame scuffle between two players turned into an adult fight that ended with a chokehold. He denies it. The case is still under review.
Brandon Mayer, 37, is charged with felony battery by strangulation, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit reported by WPBF. Deputies say it happened Oct. 20 at Greenview Park.
What the affidavit says
- Investigators identified Mayer as the coach of the UCF Knights youth flag football team and the father of one of the juvenile players involved.
- The trouble started after the game, when two players got into a physical confrontation. Witnesses told deputies one player grabbed another by the hair and pulled her to the ground.
- Parents then got involved. The alleged victim, who is the father of one of the juveniles, told investigators Mayer put him in a chokehold that made it hard to breathe.
- An independent witness reported seeing Mayer with his arm around the man's neck, per the report.
- The alleged victim described losing oxygen while being restrained.
- Deputies determined there was probable cause for the strangulation charge based on the witness statements and the victim's account.
- A juvenile battery charge was also filed in connection with the initial altercation between the players.
Mayer's side
Mayer denied choking anyone, according to the affidavit. He told deputies he was trying to separate the two juveniles who were fighting.
An arrest and a charge are not a conviction. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says the case remains under review, and no court outcome has been reported.
Why it matters
Flag football is the low-contact version of the sport, the one parents pick so nobody has to worry about big hits. The postgame handshake line is supposed to be the most dangerous part of the day, and this is a reminder that the adults are sometimes the biggest risk on the field. The league-level question for administrators is what a coach's role is when a fight breaks out: separate kids, call for help, and keep your hands off other parents.
Source: WPBF