Philadelphia School District amends Lincoln High School football suspension, thanks to video evidence
The School District of Philadelphia has amended its suspension of Lincoln High School's football program, allowing the team to play its final game after reviewing video evidence related to a postgame brawl earlier this month.
Lincoln received a three-game suspension after a brawl broke out following its Oct. 4 game against Northeast High School. The fight involved players, parents and coaches. It was captured on video, showing individuals from both schools fighting as Lincoln's team attempted to leave the Northeast Supersite field in the city's Rhawnhurst neighborhood.
According to Kareem Moore Sr., a father of a player at Lincoln, tension was escalating throughout the game.
"The whole game was just a lot of jawing, a lot of animosity from the other sideline," Moore said. "You can tell the kids were like pretty much hyped up and programmed."
"Coaches were yelling out profanity," he added. "They had the players breaking the huddle using profanity words towards Lincoln."
After the suspension was announced, supporters rallied behind the team, urging the district to reconsider its decision. Last week, parents from Lincoln presented new video evidence to the school district that showed Northeast football fans blocking their exit from the field.
The school district said it reviewed the footage and amended the team's punishment, but noted that any players or coaches directly involved in the fight will remain suspended. The district also said several parents and fans identified in the altercation from Northeast High School will be barred from all Public League events.
According to Moore, the players were trying to break up the pushing and shoving. He said they had nowhere else to go and that there was no security present at that gate to protect Lincoln players and coaches.
"As the coach went over there, the parents just started attacking him, using profanity at him and start bum rushing him, which resulted to the players and the coaches going over to try to break up the situation, and you know, get coach out of there," Moore said.
"It got real bad, you know, he pretty much just got attacked," he added. "You know, one of the coaches got hit, got punched by a female. Another coach got hit in the head with like a mug. He had to get 8 stitches on the side of his head."
As part of the amended punishment, Lincoln was assessed a forfeit loss for its game against Northeast, which they originally won 39–8, and was forced to forfeit its scheduled Oct. 10 game against West Philadelphia.
Moore and other Lincoln parents were set to speak to officials at the School District of Philadelphia Wednesday night. They refuse to accept that the team has to forfeit the Northeast game.
Lincoln might also be shorthanded for its final game of the season vs. Imhotep Charter High School Saturday with a playoff berth on the line.
"It just feels like Northeast High's being compensated," Moore said.
After a meeting on Thursday with school district officials, a Lincoln High School parent said the district is going to review the video and revisit some of the players' suspensions.
Lincoln team prepares for final game
On Wednesday, the Lincoln High School team had its first practice since the incident.
"We're just excited to be out here, honestly, and I never thought we would be able to see these guys again," running backs coach Kyle Powell said.
Families said they're hurt by what happened.
"To have something like this happen and knowing that the people that are responsible to protect you are not doing it — and also penalizing you — it raises so many questions," said Taryn Knox, whose son is a senior at Lincoln.
No fans will be allowed in the stands at Lincoln's game this weekend. Northeast High School did not receive a suspension following the incident.