Regardless of the outcome of tonight’s quarterfinal game against Rhea County, the Ooltewah football staff already has faced a no-win situation this week. Since news broke that Owls all-state linebacker Jeremiah Jackson had been arrested on charges of domestic assault, folks immediately began taking sides based on the few known facts of the incident as well as many more rumors, voicing their opinions on whether Jackson should be allowed to play in tonight’s huge playoff game.
According to the police report, the 18-year-old Jackson was accused of smacking his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his child, in the mouth during a confrontation at a basketball game at the school. He told police he had put his hands up to tell the alleged victim to back away and he could have made contact with her but did not do so with malicious intent.
Jeremiah Jackson – Ooltewah – LB
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Jeremiah Jackson Left with such a he-said/she-said scenario, Ooltewah football coach Mac Bryan and school administrators were painted into a corner. If the coaches and administrators decide to stand behind Jackson’s version, they could be perceived as caring more about trying to win a game than doing what’s right by handing down a suspension or severe punishment.
Conversely, should Bryan and his administration take a zero-tolerance stance for Jackson even putting himself in such a situation, there will be a large portion of the community wondering whatever became of innocent until proven guilty.