In court, the judge, who mentioned that he played football when he was growing up, said that he was not ready to criminalize the sport. He said even though the boys from Star International Academy embarrassed themselves and the school, they are not criminals.
“This court on these facts ... declines to criminalize football today, and the charges against all the defendants are dismissed,” said Judge Mark Plawecki.
In a Dearborn court room, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Mothers hugged their sons.
High school football players from Star Academy were cleared of assault and battery charges stemming from a shoving match during an October football game against Lutheran High School Westland.
“Whoever authorized these charges has apparently never watched a football game,” Plaweci said.
The judge said setting this precedent would clog the court system with charges for every player who threw an elbow under a basket or anyone who ever threw a punch on an ice rink. The repercussions could be even more far reaching.
“We could criminalize every parent who allows his or her child to play the sport and every institution that offers it,” said Plaweci.
A statement from the prosecutor’s office said they accept the decision of the court and have no plans to file an appeal.
“It’s a big relief, honestly,” said Hadee Attia, one of the Star Academy students.
“What they get to do today is leave this courtroom and understand that the justice system worked,” said Rashid Baydoun with the Arab-American Civil Rights League. “This is justice 101, and we’re glad that the judge made the right decision.”
The family of the lead victim in this case, the quarterback with a concussion, did not speak after the ruling, but the judge did mention if they still feel strongly about this case, they do have grounds to file a civil action lawsuit.