It goes without saying that the Georgia High School Association was in an impossible situation.
But aren’t we all supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty?
The suspensions of 39 players — nearly half the roster — for one of the state’s best teams were being decided Tuesday by the organization’s Board of Trustees with a mammoth playoff game against a No. 1-ranked team looming.
Brunswick sophomore Dontre Butler began ripping helmets off Gainesville players Jamarcus Sims and Roger Holder at midfield. But things did not escalate beyond that… until…
Pirates’ senior lineman Kasi’yah Charlton trucked Sims at midfield after a 40-yard sprint. Nearly half the benches cleared for both teams after that.
Once the 30-second skirmish that quickly ensued subsided, players were scattered across half the field in three separate incidents. Video was captured.
Huge fight. Benches cleared. Helmets ripped off. Punches thrown. Players bulldozed by others nearly twice their size.
If this were in the middle of the regular season, it’s probably a no-brainer. Fines are levied. Everyone involved sits for a game. Probably no appeals. Play the next game.
But this is not a normal situation. The fight occurred during Gainesville’s Class 5A second-round matchup against Brunswick. The Red Elephants were leading 42-0 in the third quarter at the time. Barring a major collapse, they were well on their way to an Elite 8 berth this week.
After both schools’ administrations discussed the situation, the game was called with 1:57 left in the third quarter, with the Red Elephants awarded the victory.
GHSA rules clearly state that anyone leaving a bench, the sideline, or dugout, no matter the sport, during an on-field/on-court altercation is subject to ejection, suspension, or both. The rule is in place for a reason: not to escalate the situation. And no one wants that.
After a 90-minute Zoom call with Gainesville Superintendent Jeremy Williams, Athletic Director Adam Lindsey, and head coach Josh Niblett, the GHSA upheld the suspension of 35 players by an 8-2 vote. But they lifted the suspension of defensive players Xavier Griffin, Jamarion Matthews, Sims and Holder. That motion passed 9-1.
Before that vote, the BOT discussed lifting the suspensions of the 10 defensive players who were already on the field when the incident started. That motion failed 6-4.
The essential argument between several BOT members was “burden of proof.” They had seven different videos to look at. The media on the Zoom call also saw what the Board saw.
There was clear evidence of several players from both teams violating the bylaws mentioned above. They were identified and suspended accordingly.
Yet, almost all of the 10-member panel also appeared to agree that it was “too difficult to make out numbers” on several individuals involved to prove who exactly was doing what when specific players were looked at. For what it’s worth, it was very difficult from the video provided to clearly determine who was involved.
In a court of law, the burden of proof is on the state. If they can’t prove it, you’re not guilty. However, one board member argued, “We can’t prove they WEREN’T involved.”
The assumption by that board member was that ‘he’s there, he’s guilty.’ If they did not have clear and conclusive evidence of an individual player, one way or another, it makes sense to give that player the benefit of the doubt, THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE.
They had multiple videos to watch for three-plus days. If they still weren’t sure, they should have lifted the suspensions.
But again, the GHSA Board of Trustees had a tough task. They did listen to all of the school’s arguments before making a decision. But…
With 35 players now unable to play, including 14 starters, any team would be at an obvious disadvantage. Big Red was already an underdog against the No. 1-ranked Panthers. They were going to need all-hands-on-deck to have their best shot.
Rules are rules. I get that. But this is almost like a ‘Zero-tolerance’ law that only looks at the black-and-white of the words, and not the circumstances of the particular incident.
Brunswick was at fault. Brunswick Athletic Director Jason Vaughn acknowledged that to the Board in the call. The Gainesville players initially were just defending themselves in a hostile environment where the officials allowed it to escalate through inaction.
From the videos I watched, most of the players who were suspended appeared to be innocent. Sadly, they were presumed guilty.
It’s not supposed to work that way.
(Bo Wilson contributed to this story.)
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