Letter: Victim Attacked and Humiliated By Antioch High School Football Team Wasn’t Served Justice By Sandra C

The Bay Area Telegraph Editorial Team received this Letter to the Editor:

Thank you for reporting on the above article. The videos that were circulating on social media showed most of the Antioch High School Varsity football players assaulting, bullying and harassing a vulnerable student who was not a part of the football team.

This was not a light hearted football hazing or teasing a fellow friend. This was an attack on a vulnerable student not on the football team. I am not associated at all with this victim but saw the videos first hand and was disgusted and then enraged at the lack of discipline these attackers received. 

In the videos you can see and hear MOST of Antioch high football players were involved in this attack. This was not limited to a few bad apples on the team. A few may have done the physical attacking but there were many recording, laughing and egging on the assailants and are also to blame.

All those involved and at fault need to receive discipline and education to understand this behavior is not only illegal but immoral. These teenagers are at high risk of continuing on to become criminal adults who victimize the vulnerable and because their high school let them get away with less than a slap on the wrist, they will continue to believe this type of disgusting behavior is acceptable or even funny.

Also please note, this attack happened, the school and principal were notified however they failed to do or say anything until AFTER this became viral on social media and could not be silently swept under the rug.

I am shocked and appalled to learn that this football team only forfeited ONE game. This team should not have been able to finish the season much less celebrate making it into the playoffs. I understand the principal stated that information on discipline for the football players cannot be divulged as they are minors however clearly the discipline isn’t sufficient if this football team is being allowed to finish the season and playoffs.

IIn the videos on social media, we can see the majority of the team is seen in the videos assaulting (hitting, kicking, pushing, throwing heavy locker room equipment on him) and humiliating him (pulling the victims pants off, pouring liquids on him, name-calling) or at the very least LAUGHING at a student being attacked.

I feel deeply for those few who are on the team, were not involved and simply want to play football. Maybe even a few on the team witnessed this attack and didn’t feel comfortable speaking up or getting help because they feared this football mob would target and attack them as well. 

However because the majority of the football team was active in this attack, they need to learn a lesson that they don’t seem to have learned at home. Being forced to forfeit one little game is not sufficient. Hoping this gets some traction as pressure needs to be put on those “disciplining” the team as an example needs to be set.

The message needs to be clear that this type of criminal and immoral behavior is not supported in athletics. No one person would have been able to defend themselves against a team of football players.

Please join me in demanding justice from Antioch High School Principal John Jimno and not allowing this mob to celebrate the playoffs on Friday. 

–Sandra C

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