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Six members of the Easton Area High School football team have been suspended indefinitely, according to published reports.
The players -- all starters -- were suspended Thursday for violating team rules, Coach Steve Shiffert told the Morning Call. He declined to say what exactly led to the violation.
He said the players would at the very least miss tonight's game against Allentown Central Catholic, but could return at some point this season.
Shiffert was unable to identify the players due to school policy, the Express-Times said.
On his Twitter feed, player Tyler Green appears to address the suspended players: "no matter what shiff says you guys will always be part of our team<333."
Another tweet, from Rohan Kilpatrick: "I vote the six players should lead rover nation this week. It'd be a#classic."
Other players tweeted that they would dedicate the game to the six players.
Easton is undefeated so far this season, with the Rovers taking down Pennsbury in their home opener, Parkland High School the week after that, and Bethlehem Catholic last week.
Peggy Shafer
5:41 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
I have no idea what the players did, but kudos to the Coach for sticking by the rules. Let's hope a lesson is learned.
Carolyn
11:28 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
I agree Peggy. Shiff understands that, at this level of football, there is a lot more to learn than just how to win a football game. These are life-lessons that can help these young men even if they never get back on another gridiron in their lives after high school. Kids make mistakes - it is inevitable. But they need to learn that there are many rules in life and they must be followed or there are consequences.
Susie Stateliner
6:47 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
Let's look at the bigger picture here. A girls soccer player was kicked off the soccer team for the same act these football players are being punished for. I feel all kids that are involved in this mess and play sports should have the same punishment. What's good for one is good for all. Let's hope the athletic director, school board, principle & coaches do the right thing and follow the zero tolerance plan they put in place. It's not about winning and being #1, it's about our kids and teaching them the right thing.
Pirmigrin
7:03 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
I think suspending them for a few games is the right call, but kicking them off the team is way to harsh. These kids have been practicing and putting in their time and efforts to get to this point for over a decade, and to take it away over this is wrong.
Susie Stateliner
8:31 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
So all kids should just do as they please if they are only going to get suspended for a few games, because they worked hard to get to this level. Are you kidding me! That is what is wrong with society today no punishment for your actions. If the girls are kicked off the team the boys should be kicked off the team. No matter how hard they work, if you break the rules you should pay the price.
Trev
11:28 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
Not sure what the violation was but maybe this girl should not have been kicked off the team either, instead of complaining that the boys are not punished enough. Besides, Susie Stateliner, you are probably hoping that these boys won't be able to play at the Thanksgiving game. How do we know you do not have an alterior motive?