39 Gainesville High Football Players Suspended After On-Field Brawl During Playoff Game
Thirty-nine students have been suspended following a large fight that erupted during a Georgia high school football playoff game.
The students, all football players at Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Ga., were disciplined for their alleged roles in a brawl that broke out in the third quarter of Gainesville’s matchup against Brunswick High School, according to CBS News.
The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) announced the suspensions on Monday, Nov. 24, and issued the school a $5,000 fine, per the outlet.
“Friday night’s second-round Class 5A playoff matchup between Gainesville and Brunswick took an unfortunate turn when a fight broke out near the end of the third quarter,” the GHSA said in a statement obtained by CBS News.
“Following a review of the incident, the GHSA announced that 39 Gainesville players have been suspended for this week’s state quarterfinal game along with a $5,000 fine. Gainesville is scheduled to face Langston Hughes this Friday. The Red Elephants have requested to appeal the ruling Tuesday, virtually before the GHSA Board of Trustees,” the statement continued.
The requested appeal hearing is set for Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 9 a.m. local time in Thomaston, Ga., The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. A fine for Brunswick High School has not yet been announced.
Under the organization’s bylaws, the GHSA does not plan to publicly identify the suspended players.
In video footage of the altercation from NBC affiliate WSAV3, an unidentified Brunswick defensive player appears to remove the helmet of a Gainesville player before punching another. Players from both teams then rush toward the middle of the field, escalating the confrontation. Officials ultimately called the game, which was not completed.
Gainesville is currently slated to play in the Class 5A quarterfinals against Langston Hughes High School on Friday, Nov. 28, according to High School On SI. No criminal charges have been filed against any of the students involved in the incident.
