LAND O' LAKES, Fla. — Pasco County Schools said the Land O’ Lakes High School football program has been reinstated after officials investigated a reported physical altercation between two players.
The investigation began after reports of two junior varsity players involved in an altercation while other players held up their phones to record the action and instigate, according to district spokesperson Melanie Snow.
The administration then made the decision to cancel all practices and games due to initial statements that suggested the incident might have been hazing. However, an initial investigation revealed that the altercation didn't appear to be a hazing incident.
A relative of one the junior varsity players involved said a fight or altercation never happened.
In full transparency, the relative is an employee with E.W. Scripps.
The relative said the incident involved three friends who were goofing around after practice.
When inside the locker room one of the players challenged another teen to a slap box challenge.
In a letter to parents, the relative said, "He was playing with friends and challenged each other (both willing participants) to slap box. He also said there are staff, coaches and older kids who were nearby that would break it up if it was an *actual fight . He said the culture in program is very positive and people have each others backs. No one is saying anything negative about the program from my point of view."
School administrators said they will continue their investigation and look at disciplimary actions for the students involved.
The Gators varsity team will play at River Ridge on Friday night as the regular season kicks off.
