Disturbing Pop Warner Practice Video Goes Viral, Arrests Coming?
Disturbing Pop Warner Practice Video Goes Viral, Arrests Coming?
Earlier this week a troubling video went viral involving two small children in a Pop Warner league.
In the clip, one kid violently tackles another – culminating in what appears to be a helmet-to-helmet hit.
One child was absolutely shellacked as a result of the collision.
The clip is deeply disturbing.
See for yourselves:
Are they too young to be doing this drill? pic.twitter.com/lA8G9U86Wx
— Young Black Jesus (@Zeekncashe) May 11, 2021
Viewers were immediately outraged and began calling for authorities to intervene.
This if fucking sickening….. They are kids, got people laughing at a possible brain injury to both children. This should have been given to the authorities that govern the sport in that area, wherever it is. Unbelievable, irresponsible and down right dangerous
— Jason Clark (@jayclark0106) May 12, 2021
This is one of the dumbest things I have ever seen in youth sports.
1-they look to be like 7-8 years old. There’s not need to be doing anything close to this
2-one if OBVIOUSLY outmatched and that’s on the coach
3-whoever put this drill together should face consequences— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) May 11, 2021
In response to the clip going viral, Pop Warner spokesperson Brian Heffron issued a statement to Fox News.
“We are deeply disturbed by this video and are investigating,” he said.
That’s one way to watch a game. https://t.co/rlfZSR4DDe
— Game 7 (@game7__) May 13, 2021
“If, in fact, it was Pop Warner coaches leading these drills, we will take action.
“What we saw was dangerous and, frankly, offensive to the overwhelming majority of our coaches who teach the sport the right way. We expect every coach to adhere to mandated training and focus on the proper, safe progressions of tackling techniques, including practice against dummies, particularly at such a young age. Over the past 10 years Pop Warner has instituted a number of player safety rules, and this example runs counter to our practices.”
This has been a rough year football in general. Beloved college football stars have abruptly died. NFL icons have landed in the headlines for serial sexual assaults and domestic violence. It has been a bumpy ride, and seeing things like this at such a young level feels like just the latest troubling development.
Will the adults involved face any consequences? Time will tell.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
