New York coach arrested and temporarily dismissed after allegedly striking player with his helmet
A disturbing attack by a high school coach has led to his arrest and dismissal for as long as an investigation into his actions takes.
As covered by a variety of New York outlets, East Ramapo High (East Ramapo, N.Y.) football coach Duffman Pannell was arrested and subsequently relieved of his duties as the school's coach, in connection with an alleged attack against 15-year-old Brandon Girrault.
"He was dragging him down with the helmet, so when my son couldn't breathe, he tried to take his helmet off, so he took it off, and then the coach dragged the helmet and hit him on the right side," Girrault's mother, Madeleine Blaine, told New York ABC affiliate WABC. "How could you hit my son on the right side of his forehead with a helmet?"
WABC reported that Girrault suffered a concussion, swollen eye and facial bruise as a result of the purported attack, and Blaine is now considering legal action against the coach and the school district.
While investigations are ongoing, the East Ramapo district was quick to release a statement about the incident to the press.
"It has come to our attention that there was an incident involving a coach and a student. We are conducting an internal investigation in conjunction with the Ramapo Police Department. The coach was arrested and released. Until the investigation is completed, the coach has been released from his coaching responsibilities."
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