‘Irate’ dad of child hurt in school football game attacks deputy, NC cops say

A “struggle” erupted on the sidelines of a junior varsity ball game when a parent grew irate after reports his child was injured in the game, according to investigators in North Carolina.

The incident involved one upset dad vs. multiple off-duty deputies working security at the Thursday, Oct. 16, Oak Grove High School junior varsity game, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

“Deputies intervened with an irate parent ... near the field of play after being contacted by school personnel that his child had possibly sustained an injury,” the sheriff’s office said. “During this time, (he) was yelling obscenities towards opposing players and parents. Once deputies attempted to intervene to de-escalate the situation, (he) turned his attention to the deputies.”

The man “further escalated the situation by grabbing one of the deputies,” and they tried to escort him away, the post said. A struggle erupted when deputies tried to arrest the man, leading to him being “taken to the ground and placed in handcuffs,” authorities said.

“One of our deputies suffered numerous abrasions to his hands, arms, and legs during the arrest,” the sheriff’s office said.

The suspect, a Thomasville man, suffered a foot injury, and he was taken to a hospital for treatment, authorities said.

He was later released into the custody of deputies and charged with assault on a government official, disorderly conduct, and resisting, obstructing, and/or delaying an arrest, authorities said. He is being held without bond.

Details of any injuries suffered by the suspect’s child in the ball game were not released.

A schedule for Oak Grove High’s junior varsity team reports they played Mount Tabor High’s junior varsity team on Oct. 16 and won 17- 14.

Oak Grove High School is near Midway, about a 70-mile drive northeast from uptown Charlotte.

This story was originally published October 20, 2025 at 1:28 PM with the headline "‘Irate’ dad of child hurt in school football game attacks deputy, NC cops say."