- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,172,045
- Reaction score
- 59
After Massillon’s 28-14 football win over Cardinal Ritter College Prep on Friday, tensions escalated during the post-game handshake line, prompting Massillon police to deploy pepper spray toward Ritter players, according to the Canton Repository.
Cardinal Ritter had travelled to Massillon in Northern Ohio from its campus in St. Louis, Missouri, for the game.
Video footage shows players ignoring repeated commands to leave the field, with one Massillon player reportedly chased and surrounded. Police cited efforts to de-escalate multiple altercations and protect students, band members, and cheerleaders as they entered the field.
Cardinal Ritter President Tamiko Armstead expressed outrage, stating the school is assisting families in filing formal complaints and has contacted the Ohio High School Athletic Association and Civil Rights Commission.
When asked during a postgame interview what had happened in the handshake line, Massillon coach Nate Moore responded, "I have no idea, next question."
Massillon City Schools Superintendent Paul Salvino confirmed the district’s agreement with police for game security but declined to comment on the officers’ actions. He noted that security was increased late in the game due to concerning remarks from Ritter’s sideline. Salvino emphasized that while the situation was tense, it never became physical before officers used pepper spray.
He does not expect disciplinary fallout from the OHSAA, citing the officers’ training and independent authority. The incident remains under scrutiny from multiple parties.
Cardinal Ritter has not responded to a request for comment from The Repository.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Massillon police defend use of pepper spray against Cardinal Ritter
Continue reading...
Cardinal Ritter had travelled to Massillon in Northern Ohio from its campus in St. Louis, Missouri, for the game.
Video footage shows players ignoring repeated commands to leave the field, with one Massillon player reportedly chased and surrounded. Police cited efforts to de-escalate multiple altercations and protect students, band members, and cheerleaders as they entered the field.
Cardinal Ritter President Tamiko Armstead expressed outrage, stating the school is assisting families in filing formal complaints and has contacted the Ohio High School Athletic Association and Civil Rights Commission.
When asked during a postgame interview what had happened in the handshake line, Massillon coach Nate Moore responded, "I have no idea, next question."
Massillon City Schools Superintendent Paul Salvino confirmed the district’s agreement with police for game security but declined to comment on the officers’ actions. He noted that security was increased late in the game due to concerning remarks from Ritter’s sideline. Salvino emphasized that while the situation was tense, it never became physical before officers used pepper spray.
He does not expect disciplinary fallout from the OHSAA, citing the officers’ training and independent authority. The incident remains under scrutiny from multiple parties.
Cardinal Ritter has not responded to a request for comment from The Repository.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Massillon police defend use of pepper spray against Cardinal Ritter
Continue reading...
