Outrage over the incident where a 16-year-old girl rushed onto the field and knocked down a football player – The person involved speaks out
Investigators said the 16-year-old, who is from Marshall County, ran onto the field and tackled the South Middle player involved in a scuffle.
WINCHESTER, Tenn. (WSMV) – People on both sides of a video showing a 16-year-old girl run onto the field to tackle a player during a middle school football game are speaking out for the first time, days after the girl was charged with assault and disorderly conduct.
The incident happened on Tuesday night during game between South Middle School and Cornersville Middle School. Authorities said South scored a touchdown and an extra point around 8 p.m. when a scuffle broke out between two players in the end zone.
Football player tackled by fan during game
Video of the game obtained by WSMV shows two referees throwing flags for the scuffle after the play while the players start to walk back towards their huddles.
The 16-year-old girl is then seen jumping a fence and running onto the field to tackle the South Middle player involved in the scuffle.
Investigators said the 16-year-old, who is a Marshall County Schools student, then hit the player a second time and stood over him until coaches were able to break up the fight.
Player’s family reacts
The player’s father, Brandon Taylor, posted a statement on Facebook addressing the incident and now viral video. Taylor said people have been making jokes and trying to justify what happened to his 13-year-old son, but said the incident was not funny.
Taylor said is son’s character has been on display because he did not go after the girl after being hit and she stood over him. When he came off the field, Taylor said his son’s first words were, “She better be glad she’s a girl.”
The girl’s attorney, David McKenzie, sent WSMV a statement that said, “She was protecting her brother from abuse on the field when the officials refused to do so.”
The law firm posted on social media asking anyone with video showing the scrum in the end zone to come forward.
“My son is a true gentleman, and he did not deserve to be tackled, pushed, or humiliated on the field,” Taylor said in the post. “He is a 13-year-old child, and I will always stand up for him and protect him.”
Taylor said people watching the video are entitled to their opinions about the incident, but said people have gone too far with hateful and racial remarks.
Girl’s family defends her actions
The 16-year-old girl’s mother, Elizabeth Chumbley, declined to do an interview for this story but spoke off-camera with WSMV on Friday. She said their family does not condone what her daughter did and will make sure she is held accountable.
However, Chumbley said they are proud of her for standing up for her younger brother who was playing in the game. Right before the 16-year-old ran on the field, there was a scrum in the end zone involving her sibling. Chumbley said it was just one of many physical plays that crossed the line during the game.
The girl’s attorney, David McKenzie, sent WSMV a statement that said, “She was protecting her brother from abuse on the field when the officials refused to do so.”
The law firm posted on social media asking anyone with video showing the scrum in the end zone to come forward.
The girl’s attorney, David McKenzie, sent WSMV a statement that said, “She was protecting her brother from abuse on the field when the officials refused to do so.”
The law firm posted on social media asking anyone with video showing the scrum in the end zone to come forward.
The girl’s attorney, David McKenzie, sent WSMV a statement that said, “She was protecting her brother from abuse on the field when the officials refused to do so.”
The law firm posted on social media asking anyone with video showing the scrum in the end zone to come forward.
The girl’s attorney, David McKenzie, sent WSMV a statement that said, “She was protecting her brother from abuse on the field when the officials refused to do so.”
The law firm posted on social media asking anyone with video showing the scrum in the end zone to come forward.
Disclaimer: This story is fictional and created for entertainment purposes only.
Any names, characters, places, or events are fictitious or used fictitiously.
No real person or organization is intended to be portrayed.
