The head coach of the Carlynton Little Cougars Youth Football team has issued a statement on last weekend's incident that went viral saying that video doesn't show the full story.
Dequay Canton says Keystone Oaks youth players were calling his players ethnic slurs and there was no response from referees when he brought it to their attention.
Canton says the other coach said, "What you going to do about it little man?" and then put his hands on Canton.
He says that's when things began to escalate.
Canton says he was being mobbed by KO's football and cheerleading staff, whom he said were trying to attack him and that “all I could think about was fight or flight."
Canton does say he is very disappointed by what happened and the actions that were witnessed do not reflect his values or those of the organization.
Canton’s full statement reads:
First and foremost, we are grateful that no players were injured and that the situation was brought under control quickly. My biggest concern is the physical and mental safety and well-being of my young athletes.
I am very disappointed by what happened and want to be clear that the actions witnessed on Saturday do not reflect my values or those of the organization. We teach our players discipline, respect, teamwork, self-control, and sportsmanship both on and off the field. These principles are the foundation of what we preach and should be demonstrated by me.
My coaches and I are cooperating fully with our organization and league officials as they review the incident. We support a thorough examination of the facts and any appropriate actions necessary to ensure a safe and positive environment for all participants and spectators.
I would like to address the current situation with the facts. I realize that social media and the national and local news are racially biased towards people who look like me. During the course of the game, our black and brown kids continued to be called an "N," and every quarter our kids were called the "N" word, and we addressed it with the referees, but there was no response.
As you can see from the video, you don't see the other coach walking towards me, but you see me walking towards him, and when I reached the line of scrimmage, he said What you going to do about it, little man and he put his hands on me, and that's when things began to escalate. As a black man, I was being mobbed by all their football and cheerleading staff, trying to attack me. All I could think about was fight or flight.
I'm not apologetic for standing up for my kids who saw the injustice and were the victims of racial slurs. The second one will always get the penalty. Get the story correct: 4 of their coaches were ejected, and I was the only one ejected from my side, and I will always stand up for kids.
It is a shame that in 2026, 8–9-year-old kids are calling young black and brown kids the "N”. It's even more shameful that their parents, coaches, and referees let them do it without correcting them. They would rather fight me for addressing it than correct their kids. That should be the story. Period.
Also, let me address the limited video shared online. This is the racial bias you wish to portray me as, without showing the other coach's actions and words. As a young black man, 5'7, 157 lbs., being bummed rushed. I encourage everyone to reserve judgment until all facts have been reviewed and the complete story is understood.
