Arvin Roberts|High school football coach arrested, charged with battery after hitting player on sideline

2025-04-29 12:29:22source:NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Centercategory:Finance

An Atlanta high school football coach has been arrested after physically assaulting a player.

The Arvin Robertsincident happened during Saturday's football game between Benjamin E. Mays High and Douglas County High in Atlanta, which was live streamed over the weekend by local station Peachtree TV. The broadcast showed a Benjamin E. Mays assistant coach strike a player in the stomach on the sidelines, which resulted in the player doubling over in pain.

Atlanta News First identified the assistant as Carl Sledge.

On Tuesday, Atlanta Public Schools confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that Sledge was arrested on simple battery charges following the incident. The school district added that Sledge was a "lay coach," described by the Georgia High School Association as a "community coach" that doesn't work at the school or hold any professional certifications.

"A lay coach for Mays High School, who is not a classroom instructor, was taken into police custody after an incident that occurred on the sideline during the school’s game Saturday afternoon against Douglas County High School," Atlanta Public Schools said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. "Video from the live broadcast of the game appears to show the lay coach physically assaulting a player."

SUSPENSIONS:Video of 'hazing' from Florida high school football team prompts coach, player suspensions

In the video, Sledge can be seen yelling at a player as Benjamin E. Mays High was up 12-0 over Douglas County at the end of the first quarter. The verbal reprimand turned physical when Sledge struck the player in the stomach. Sledge was escorted off the field by police, according to Atlanta News First.

"The safety and well-being of all APS students remains a high priority for the district and all APS employees are held to the highest standard of conduct and professionalism," Atlanta Public Schools added.

Benjamin E. Mays High ended up losing the game to Douglas County 48-42.

More:Finance

Recommend

Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds

Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly” despite concerns about the effect

Detroit Lions season ticket holders irate over price hike: 'Like finding out your spouse cheated'

Jeff Paxton thought the email was a mistake.When the longtime Detroit Lions season ticket holder got

Czech police say people have been killed in a shooting in downtown Prague

PRAGUE (AP) — Czech police say a shooting in downtown Prague has killed an unspecified number of peo