'Perverted, abusive, extreme': Attorneys for Hoover football player pursue legal action over practice incident caught on video
The pursuit of legal claims has been announced one day after the announcement of two Hoover City Schools football coaches being put on administrative leave Tuesday.
Alabama Representative Juandalynn Givan is pursuing state and federal claims against the Hoover City School System on behalf of student and football player who she says was subjected to "perverted, abusive" acts at the hands of his coach.
In a Wednesday press conference, Givan, alongside attorney Reginald McDaniel described a video circulating on social media that she alleges appears to show Hoover High School head football coach Drew Gilmer place the player's "face near his private area."
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"The acts committed by Gilmer are pervasive, perverted, abusive, extreme, outrageous and beyond all possible bounds of human decency from someone who is deemed or defined as an educator in the public school system in the state of Alabama," said Givan.
"As you can imagine, the mother and family are devastated to the degree of shock and disbelief that this young student is forever harmed and will be adversely impacted for the rest of his life," she continued.
米兰体育 13 has seen the video, but we have not independently confirmed it's authenticity. We are choosing not to show it until it is officially released by the school district or legal representatives.
The video was reportedly captured last Friday during a football practice and was uploaded to HUDL, a service that gives players and coaches access to practice and game footage, before leaking on social media yesterday.
Following the leak, the boy's mother was made aware of the incident by school administrators, at which point she took her son in for a medical evaluation.
Givan stated that the boy's parents have contacted the Hoover Police Department to pursue official criminal charges against Gilmer. In her understanding, the investigation is being headed up by the department's special victims unit.
Other members of the team have reportedly been bullying the player in question about the situation. He is "emotionally distraught," "humiliated" and may not return to Hoover High School.
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Givan and McDaniel are also in contact with another player on the team who is allegedly featured in a second clip circulation on social media involving another member of Hoover's coaching staff.
Gilmer, alongside defensive coordinator Adam helms was placed on administrative leave Tuesday. Hired back in January, he has yet to coach a single game.
In a release, Hoover City Schools said the decision was, 鈥渕ade to ensure a thorough and impartial review of recent developments."
"The district is committed to maintaining transparency and upholding the highest standards of professional conduct," the release stated.
鈥淭he safety and well-being of our students and staff are top priorities,鈥� Superintendent Dr. Kevin Maddox stated in the release. 鈥淲e are taking this matter seriously and working diligently to resolve it promptly and fairly."
Hoover High School said assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Chip English will serve as interim coach.