SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah authorities say a youth football coach struck a 13-year-old player from the opposing team near the sideline late in a tied game, giving the boy a concussion.
Police Sgt. Lance Smith says video from Saturday’s game shows 38-year-old Nathan Harris intentionally knocking the boy down. Smith says witnesses also say that Harris hit the player.
Harris hasn’t been charged, but police in Payson — about an hour south of Salt Lake City — have arrested him for investigation of felony child abuse.
Attorney Dean Zabriskie says the boy accidentally crashed into Harris. He says police are relying too heavily on a grainy video and testimony from witnesses who were standing far away.
Smith says the boy will miss a month of playing time.
