Flag football coach arrested over choking incident at youth game

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 18:33 · Archive

A Florida flag football coach has been arrested and charged with felony battery by strangulation after allegedly choking a 15-year-old player during postgame handshakes.

Brandon Mayer, 37, a flag football coach in Palm Beach County, Florida, has been charged with felony battery by strangulation following an incident on 20 October. The altercation began during postgame handshakes when a 16-year-old player allegedly pulled 15-year-old Sophia Lopez to the ground by her hair. According to Sophia, the 16-year-old had become upset after she made a comment about the game. Mayer then allegedly placed Sophia in a chokehold for approximately 15 seconds. The head referee described it as a 'choking mechanism', and Sophia told CBS12 News it felt like a 'complete choke' where she thought 'she was never gonna get out until I just saw black'. Her father, Ryan Lopez, who coaches Sophia's team, said Mayer was 'pulling her forward and trying to pull her back, not by her waist'.

Mayer's 16-year-old daughter was also arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery for the initial attack on Sophia. Both Mayer and his daughter were arrested by Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies. When questioned by police on 28 October, Mayer and his daughter gave a different account, claiming Mayer had attempted to separate the two players in a 'mirrored fashion'. Sophia was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation following the incident.

How it is being reported

• Flag football coach arrested for allegedly choking teenage girl after chaotic brawl broke out involving his daughterA 37-year-old Florida man has been arrested for allegedly strangling a teenager following a flag football game in Palm Beach County, Florida.Daily Mail Sport · 30 Oct, 18:21
• Flag football coach arrested for allegedly choking teen girl in postgame brawl involving daughterThe incident began during a postgame handshake on Oct. 20, with one player allegedly attacking another.New York Post · 30 Oct, 16:49

In this story: Brandon Mayer · Sophia Lopez · Palm Beach County · Florida

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