Father of Suspended Player Speaks Out

ELK RIVER, Minn - The Elk River Football team started its’ season, surrounded in controversy over a hazing incident. Four players received suspensions for the entire year. Now, the father of a suspended player is speaking out, only to Fox 9.

When Elk River High played its’ first football game of the season, nine teammates missed out either sidelined or suspended for hazing violations. The decision deflated the dreams of players and their parents. One father of a suspended player agreed to speak with Fox 9’s Jody Ambroz anonymously. He said ’If people had come forward and said my son had brutalized anybody, I’d be the first to say he should be suspended for the season.’ But the father told us, he doesn’t believe his son deserves the strict punishment.

The dad said he’s not justifying any behavior, but he called it ’horsing around’. His son and the others accused of forcing players to the floor during practice in the wrestling room. Then, they poked other players with broom handles on their back sides while they were dressed in full pads. The father said no one was singled out and the kids never intended to hurt or humiliate anyone.

A school spokesman said no one reported any injuries, but the district condemned the behavior and launched an investigation. Superintendent Mark Bezek said earlier this week, We take it seriously, this is not a joke to us.’

Although the Minnesota High School League recommends a two game suspension for hazing, it’s ultimately up to the district to decide the punishment. Elk River suspended four players for the entire season. Five other players were suspended for up to four games. The father who spoke anonymously said, ’I do know that the kids that stepped up that said `we were involved’, they were punished.’ The father plans to appeal his son’s suspension.