A local youth football coach faces a possible suspension and fine after his team blew out an opponent, violating a league rule in the process.
The potential punishment is sparking debate as well as support for the coach thanks to his brother-in-law, a former Philadelphia Eagle.
Kyle Williams told NBC10 he knew he was dangerously close to breaking the rules Saturday morning when his youth football team, the Conshohocken Golden Bears, went up 30 to 0. The rules of the Keystone Sports League, which features kids no older than 7 years of age, prevent a team from going up by more than 30 points.
"Less than two minutes left I called a timeout because I wanted to pull the starters off the field," Williams said. "I put kids in there who normally never played."
When one of the second stringers, a 5-year-old boy, got the ball he ran toward the end zone as Williams ran along the sideline and repeatedly yelled for him to fall down. The boy still scored however, putting the team up 36 to 0.
Now Williams is facing a possible $500 fine and a 2-game suspension.
"I have three sons," Williams said. "I'm not gonna tell my son, especially if he's running the ball, 'Don't go out there and give it your all.'"
Williams is the brother-in-law of retired NFL Wide Receiver Torrey Smith, who condemned the league’s rules on twitter.
Smith wrote on twitter, “Today’s story of 'We are building weak children’.The youth football team in my wife’s hometown had a game today, they won 36-0. They don’t allow you to win by 31 without some type of punishment. The head coach is now suspended for 2 games and fined $500. ARE YOU KIDING ME?... The other kids can’t give their all because there is a rule. 'Work hard but not too hard' that’s stupid."
Williams is expected to attend a league hearing about the matter next month, but the president of the Conshohocken Golden Bears executive board supported the league decision. Public support for Williams, however, outweighs those in agreement with the league.