Two Rhode Island high school football players have been arrested and are facing assault charges following a concerning incident involving a special needs student.
The institution in question, Roger High School, has reportedly canceled the remainder of its football season following the controversial occurrence.
While the names of the students have not been revealed due to their being juveniles, video footage has surfaced online showing one player hitting the special needs students across the face multiple times with a stretching band while he kneels and apologizes.
A second video shows the student, described as having “severe impairments” by Newport police, sitting against a wall while getting whipped by another player.
Even more disturbing was the fact that none of the other students around intervened.
Newport Superintendent Issues Statement After Disgusting Actions From High School Football Players Which Resulted In Arrests
The above is said to have taken place on Thursday, preceding another shocking incident that resulted in two college football players allegedly getting stabbed by a teammate.
“This is a serious matter and there is no grey area when it comes to behavior like this,” Newport Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain said in a statement (H/T the Daily Mail). “Those involved will face appropriate disciplinary actions in accordance with our district policies.”
“Our athletes need to understand as leaders, as athletes, and as representatives of our community, that this behavior will never be tolerated at Newport Public Schools,” Jermain added.
One of the players who was arrested was scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.
