A benches-clearing brawl in an Atlanta-area high school football game resulted in the arrest of a former coach.
Emardre Brown, a former volunteer coach at Therrell High School, was released on a $2,500 bond after allegedly assaulting two players on the opposing team during a game last week at Temple High in Carroll County, Ga., according to Fox 5 in Atlanta.
According to the Temple Police Department, a facemask penalty caused the benches to clear, and Brown allegedly punched one of the Temple student-athletes in the face through the facemask opening.
Brown is facing multiple charges, including first-degree cruelty to children, battery and simple assault.
That player’s parents pressed criminal charges and told police they took the child to an urgent-care facility for evaluation.
Police also said their investigators were reviewing cell-phone footage of the incident.
“Sportsmanship between the players and how infractions are handled getting the people apart, separating of parties trying to fight would be expected,” Detective Corporal Andrew Mitchell told the TV station.
The school district said it is cooperating with authorities, adding in a statement that Brown no longer works for the district.
“Atlanta Public Schools is aware of the arrest of a volunteer coach during the Therrell High School versus Temple High School football game on Friday, September 11, 2026,” the statement read. “As a result of the allegations and arrest, the volunteer coach is no longer serving as a coach for APS.
“The safety and security of our students, staff, coaches, and school communities will remain our top priority and violence or aggressive behavior of any kind by adults who interact with any students will not be tolerated.”
