Violent incidents on the Cheltenham High School football team in Pennsylvania, USA, have resulted in charges against four coaches and six players. A grand jury investigation led by the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office uncovered two separate attacks on a 15-year-old player and attempts to cover them up.
Two separate attacks, proven by footage
The first attack occurred on August 15, 2025. According to the prosecutor's office, footage recorded by two minor players shows several football players holding the victim down and hitting him on the buttocks with a broomstick. The footage was later shared with other students. The second attack took place on September 3, 2025. Witnesses stated that 18-year-old Isaiah Simpson kicked the victim or stomped on him. The same minor suspect again used a broomstick in this incident.
The victim told investigators that he curled up like a ball in his football equipment to protect his head, but others kicked and punched him in the head and groin with cleats. The victim was taken to the hospital after the second attack and diagnosed with a penile contusion.
Coaches did not report the incident, attempted to cover it up
The investigation revealed that the coaches were not directly involved in the attacks but learned about them afterward. Volunteer coach Ralph Burnley (60), while driving the victim home, learned that the teen had been beaten and injured, and called head coach Terence Tolbert (55). Then, in a group call with assistant coach Darian "DJ" McFadden (42), Tolbert and McFadden told the victim that the matter would be resolved and asked him not to tell his mother.
Assistant coach Benjamin Johnson III (45), along with the other coaches, decided to handle the matter internally rather than inform school administration or the teen's mother, in order not to jeopardize the team.
10 people charged, football season canceled
The grand jury decided on charges of "conspiracy to endanger the welfare of a child" and "endangering the welfare of a child" against the four coaches. Isaiah Simpson was charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person. Another 18-year-old player, Josiah Peeler, was charged with making false statements to investigators. Four minor players, whose identities were not disclosed, are also facing various charges.
The victim's mother learned of the incident shortly after the second attack through a relative. The high school administration became aware of the situation via an anonymous tip app, reported it to the police, and canceled the football team's season.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said, "These attacks on a football player were not ordinary horseplay among teammates. They are crimes." Steele emphasized that the grand jury recommended the charges after reviewing numerous witness statements and videos of the attacks.
