Atlanta football coach arrested after punching own player

An Atlanta high school football coach was arrested over the weekend for punching a player in the stomach during a game.

During the first quarter of a game between Mays High School and Douglas County—a game that was streamed online—the Mays High School football coach is seen on video punching a player from his own team in the stomach.

A recent story from Atlanta First News first detailed the incident, which has since gone viral across social media.

Below is an excerpt from the Atlanta First News story.

An Atlanta Public Schools spokesman said it was a lay coach, later identified as Carl Sledge, who physically assaulted a player. The coach was removed from the sidelines by an APS police officer and taken into custody.

“A lay coach for Mays High School, who is not a classroom instructor, is in police custody after an incident that occurred on the sideline during the school’s game this afternoon against Douglas County High School,” spokesman Seth Coleman said in a statement sent to ANF. “The lay coach will be charged with simple battery and face administrative charges from the district.”

“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,” Coleman continued.

Before the punch, Sledge is seen yelling at the player. After he hits him, the player appears to be in visible pain and doubles over.

To read the full story from Atlanta News First, click here.