Howard High JV football season canceled after locker room bullying incident

BALTIMORE, Md. — Howard High School is canceling the remainder of its junior varsity football season after seven players were charged in a locker room bullying incident.

In an email to team members’ families sent Wednesday, Howard High School Principal Allen Cosentino said the ongoing investigation into the locker room incident and other allegations will likely continue for several more weeks, “making it impossible to safely and reasonably restart and complete the season.”

The team had previously been suspended indefinitely.

Cosentino added that there will not be call-ups from the JV team to varsity for the remainder of this season.

“I understand that this will be extremely disappointing news, particularly for those student-athletes who were not involved in inappropriate behavior, were unaware of what was occurring, or may have reported concerns that were not adequately resolved. I am deeply saddened that these students are affected by this decision,” Cosentino wrote.

The alleged incident occurred before practice on Sept. 25, when a team member’s mother, April Bridges, says the students went unsupervised for an hour. Videos provided to WMAR-2 News show several members of the team grabbing, picking up and trying to force another team member — Bridges’ son — into the toilet.

Bridges said she has learned of other incidents. A student had brought a wrench to disassemble her son’s bike and hid it in the ceiling of the locker room. During another incident, students pulled down his pants. In yet another, students sprayed bug spray inside his football helmet.

Howard County Superintendent Bill Barnes released a statement on the matter Wednesday afternoon.

“It is important that our community understands what happens when accusations, videos, or images of an inappropriate or illegal nature are brought to our attention. All matters are investigated by HCPSS staff for potential violations of HCPSS policies and expectations, and those involving potential criminal conduct are shared with law enforcement for consideration. There is generally limited public communication about these types of incidents because they often involve minors and ongoing investigations. Even when evidence or allegations may appear clear, HCPSS is obligated to provide appropriate due process and an opportunity for the facts and context to be fully established,” the statement reads.

“At the same time, incidents like the one recently reported in the news media cause me significant concern about the well-being and decision-making of our student-athletes. I am deeply concerned that social media trends, the desire for attention, and the ability to record and publish content instantly are contributing to a culture in which inappropriate, and sometimes illegal, behavior is being acted out, recorded, shared, celebrated, and treated as entertainment.”

Barnes goes on to direct Howard County Public Schools administrators, athletics and activities managers, and coaches to take the following actions:

• Revisit the expectations and procedures provided during the beginning-of-year training regarding appropriate locker room supervision and ensure they are being implemented as expected. These plans are being collected and reviewed centrally.
• Speak directly with student-athletes about what constitutes appropriate behavior and what behavior is unacceptable, prohibited, or potentially illegal.
• Share the processes for reporting acts of bullying and harassment with students.
• Remain diligent throughout the school year to ensure students are protected whenever they participate in school-sponsored activities.

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