Sheriff makes arrests in youth football brawl

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight announced Friday afternoon that he has made four arrests — three coaches and one juvenile player — relating to the Sarasota Gators youth football league brawl that occurred Saturday, Aug. 27, at Riverview High School.

The youth football incident, Knight said, began when Sarasota Gators Assistant Coach Dexter Austin, 43, threw a water bottle at referee Jayme Ream and began hurling insults at him while charging him.

Fourteen-year-old player Jamisen Saintvale then tackled Ream to the ground, which was followed by Sarasota Gators players, team members and parents and referees scuffling on the field.

The incident, which was caught on tape by a parent, occurred after a referee called a personal foul on a Gators player when the team was losing 30-6 to the North Port Husky’s just before halftime.

“There is no excuse for this type of behavior, and their actions were intolerable,” said Knight, who explained his office began the investigation after viewing the incident on YouTube. “My hope is all the publicity this has received will serve as an example when adults lose their temper in an environment that’s supposed to be about the kids.”

Austin, Saintvale and Sarasota Gators Coaches Timothy Howard and Antonio Bradley were charged with felony battery. Saintvale’s battery charge is being assessed at the juvenile level. Those charged have either been arrested or made arrangements to turn themselves in.

Knight said that Austin, who was caught on video trying to kick the referee during the melee, “still doesn’t seem to be remorseful for his actions.”

When asked what Knight thought of the video, which shows the North Port Husky’s team kneeling with their coaches on the field during the brawl, Knight said he believed North Port coaches had their team under control, unlike the Sarasota Gators coaches.

The Gators have been banned from their home field and suspended by their parent league, the Mid-Florida Football and Cheerleading Conference. Those charged by the Sheriff’s Office can never be affiliated with the conference again.

Knight said the ban was a good decision.

“Coaches and parents are supposed to be out there for the kids,” Knight said. “Not living vicariously through their kids in ways that are unacceptable.”

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].