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A high school football game ended in chaos after police deployed pepper spray to try to defuse verbal and physical altercations.
The Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School football team from St. Louis traveled nearly 500 miles to Massillon, Ohio, and it turned into a nightmarish trip.
Cardinal Ritter fell to Massillon High School 28-14 in what was considered a physical and dynamic game all night long.
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Police used pepper spray on a St. Louis high school football team to defuse altercations with their opponents. (Dylan Kelley/@dpk.captures)
Tensions flared during the postgame handshake, where several players had to be separated, prompting the use of pepper spray.
Police said the officers involved “acted in accordance with our policies and procedures.”
“Our task was to ensure the safety and security of all who enter the stadium, including fans, students and athletes. Unfortunately, the conclusion of the match resulted in multiple physical altercations on the field between the two teams,” police said in a statement.
The release then explained why the pepper spray was used.
“Team staff members, coaches and Massillon police officers were forced to intervene and separate the players during the post-game “handshake.” Officers repeatedly gave legal orders to Cardinal Ritter players to leave the field and head toward their locker room,” the statement continued.
One player needed water in his eyes after being pepper-sprayed. (Dylan Kelley/@dpk.captures)
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“The verbal orders were an attempt to defuse the shoving. These orders were ignored. At one point during the incident, a Massillon player’s face mask was grabbed; he was surrounded and then chased by the Cardinal Ritter players. Officers again ordered the visiting team to leave the field. All of this was happening while the Massillon marching band and cheerleaders were now on the field for the post-match ceremony. from the school’s alma mater. This factor concerned the officers who continued to order Ritter’s players off the field.
“Ritter’s players again charged the Massillon players who were now in the vicinity of the group. This was an unfortunate and difficult situation for the officers who, throughout the incident, attempted to restore order. Ultimately, two Massillon officers deployed pepper spray, which was effective. We reviewed this incident in depth and found that they acted in accordance with our policies and procedures regarding recourse to strength.”
Cardinal Ritter officials told Fox 8 in Cleveland that they have contacted the Ohio High School Athletic Association to see what steps they could take.
The game was choppy throughout and went beyond the clock to zeros. (Dylan Kelley/@dpk.captures)
“We are aware of the incident at the football game in Massillon, Ohio, last week, and we were very disturbed by a video of what happened,” Cardinal Ritter President Tamiko Armstead said in a statement.
Current Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was in attendance with Cardinal Ritter. Paul Brown, co-founder of the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals, was present in Massillon.
