Middle School Football Game Turns Violent

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Posted: 6:20 PM Oct 8, 2008
Last Updated: 12:32 AM Oct 9, 2008
Reporter: Jeff Allen
Email Address: jeff.allen@wymtnews.com

21 comments

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A middle school football game turned violent when police say a volunteer coach punched a referee to the ground.

The game Monday night between Corbin and Bell County was almost over when some tensions escalated and before he knew it, Williamsburg Police Office Shawn Jackson, who was announcing the game in the press box, says he found himself running down the stands to make an arrest.

Police say there were just a couple minutes left in the 7th grade game between Corbin and Bell County. They say the referee had just thrown two flags and then walked over to talk to a volunteer coach for Bell County.

"There was a few words exchanged. The next thing I know, the coach struck the ref," Jackson said.

And that's when Officer Shawn Jackson had to stop announcing the game and spring into action.

"The referee appeared to just kind of melt down to the ground, continued to lay there. At this point, my police officer instinct kicked in. I went straight down the bleachers to the gate and across the field," Jackson said.

He arrested 36 year old John Green and charged him with assaulting a sports official. Jackson says he's glad he was able to act quickly.

"There were several other people coming onto the field, and it could've gotten ugly quick," Jackson said.

Police say John Green was volunteering as a coach for Bell County.

Green pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday and is out of jail on bond.

We talked to the referee by phone and he says he can't comment except to say that he's sore, but doing fine.

"It was awful that it did happen, and even more awful the kids had to see that happen," Jackson said.

Police say the volunteer coach was very apologetic afterwards and felt bad about what happened.

We were not able to reach that volunteer coach, John Green, by phone Wednesday.

He is due back in court in November.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: School Location: TN on Oct 14, 2008 at 04:31 PM
I went to school with John Todd Greene. This is not like him, but if the ref was dumb enough to come to the side line to talk to an upset coach then so be it. Every time we played Corbin home or away it was always the same fights everywhere. So don't just think that it is Todd he remembers what it was like when we were there. There is not one parent alive that would stand and let someone mistreat their own child, I am more then sure this was Todd's reaction too. I don't agree that Tood acted the right way, but when it comes to your kids something else inside you takes over.

Posted by: spencer Location: mt.sterling on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:22 PM
NO EXCUSE WHAT SO EVER!!!!!!!!!!MAKE HIM SPEND TIME IN JAIL .IRAQ NO EXCUSE !!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Bell citizen Location: Pineville on Oct 11, 2008 at 08:03 PM
John Todd Greene has NEVER been in the military and whomever stated that is ridiculous for trying to make the military an escape goat for him. SHAME ON YOU! He is a parent who got too upset because he has issues. OBVIOUSLY!

Posted by: hello Location: ky on Oct 11, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Jane, where the heck have you been? If that ain't Bell County football nothing is. Them people think they are untouchable.

Posted by: Steve Location: Lexington on Oct 11, 2008 at 05:29 PM
That's precisely what is wrong with youth sports today...the parents! They act like it's an NFL game and go nuts when their kid gets a penalty or doesn't do well, instead of focusing on what youth sports is about...fundamentals and enjoyment. The kids hate it when they see things like this, learn nothing except how to be violent, and learn nothing about the game they're supposed to be there playing. I hope this parent is banned for life from attending their child's games.

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Oct 11, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Nothing says middle school athletics like a good old fashioned beat down!

Posted by: clay2 Location: kentucky on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:49 AM
TRASH IS TRASH

Posted by: Eddie Location: Ky on Oct 10, 2008 at 09:07 AM
And I thought things like this only happened in Bourbon County.Shamefully Rude fans

Posted by: unknown Location: unknown on Oct 10, 2008 at 05:24 AM
I been referee for along time on this is bad on the coach part and should be punished.The kids were the ones saw this

Posted by: eliza Location: pineville on Oct 9, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Are you sure this guys name is John?

Posted by: Rick Location: Georgetown on Oct 9, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Why are they even playing"sports" in school anyway? Teaching them early on to be big babies that expect everything to be handed to them I guess...........

Posted by: KNOX on Oct 9, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Amen to Anonymous-That is ture of Bell Co. If they don't get it their way then the coaches throw a fit! That is what their children are being taught-And to think it continues at the high school level!

Posted by: Jane Location: Bell Co on Oct 9, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Just so u know this does not represent all of Bell Co. Football!! There is alot of good, talented kids and how does this resemble the kids in a referee fight, at least it wasant the players brawling.. We r proud of all our teams and parents from K-12... Mr Greene and his family r good people..

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 9, 2008 at 05:20 PM
My son has played football for several years, every football team has that one parents that shows up and shows themselves. Luckily for my son's team, his son no longer plays. I don't know either of the guys. From what I seen the Ref was to blame too. But it's okay for him because he's a sports offical it's okay.

Posted by: annoyed Location: pineville on Oct 9, 2008 at 04:30 PM
To Nella; My husband spent two tours in Iraq, Lebenon, Granada to name a few and he does not act like this around children. You know just because you have been through something like a war does not excuse bad social behavior. If he is truly troubled he needs to seek help and stay the H*?? away from our children

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Knox co on Oct 9, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Thats Bell co for you they think they should always get the calls and 99.9% of the time they do.

Posted by: h Location: floyd on Oct 9, 2008 at 02:53 PM
It is a shame, the parents, and coachs are acting awful, at the kids games, we wonder why our youth are growing up so awful also,,,

Posted by: Joe Location: Corbin on Oct 9, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Its just part of the game. Let the parents fight and enjoy it.

Posted by: Carol Location: KY on Oct 9, 2008 at 01:28 PM
If what Nella says is factual, perhaps this guy needs some counselling and support himself related to PTSD...It can happen to anyone in traumatic situations and there's no shame in asking for help.

Posted by: Mike Location: Pineville on Oct 9, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Iraq? Where the heck you getting your info? He's never been to Iraq or in the military.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 9, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Who won?

Posted by: Jeff on Oct 9, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Can't they just throw a flag and charge him with unsportsmanlike conduct? Oh yeah, they can't; he's not a celebrity or famous.

Posted by: football mom Location: ky on Oct 9, 2008 at 11:23 AM
People have really lost their minds I guess he's on drugs too. What normal person would do that? I hope that man gets some help it looks like he really needs some. There is no call for his reactions. All sport events should have security at every game.

Posted by: curious on Oct 9, 2008 at 10:56 AM
So who won? What's the difference between a "volunteer coach" and a "coach"? Both represent your school.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 9, 2008 at 05:02 AM
WEEEEEE DOGGGGIES

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 9, 2008 at 04:45 AM
there is no wonder our kids is always in trouble look at what thay see us do

Posted by: dus Location: barbourville on Oct 9, 2008 at 03:08 AM
when these idiots do things like this they should be banned from coming to games for life. people need to realize that their kid may not be the next peyton manning and losing a ball game isn't the end of the world. just think about what this has taught the players on his team.

Posted by: Nathan Location: Pikeville on Oct 8, 2008 at 11:55 PM
What a way to teach our kids that violence and fighting is ok. No wonder there is so much violence now.

Posted by: Nella on Oct 8, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Coach Green had just got back from Iraq a couple months ago. He seemed different since returning.

Posted by: Carol Location: KY on Oct 8, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Another good example for teaching kids how NOT to behave...People take sports way too seriously, because it's supposed to be fun for the kids as well as help them develop discipline, leadership, cooperation, and good self-esteem. This volunteer coach obviously isn't the right one to be doing this kind of volunteer work, because he didn't show the type of behavior that kids need to learn. Use it as a learning experience and talk to the kids about it, school officials!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: bell county on Oct 8, 2008 at 08:34 PM
this man was not a volunteer coach his merely a parent was too upset.

Posted by: Bubba Johnson Location: Somewhere in Time on Oct 8, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Let's see. Lots of witnesses, including a police officer. If this guy sticks to his not guilty plea, throw the book at him, very hard for wasting everyone's time and insulting everyone's intelligence.

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