Calif. kids’ football team hit with bounty scandal

TUSTIN, Calif. (AP) — The league president and head coach of a children’s football team in Orange County have been suspended amid allegations that players were offered bounties to knock opponents out of games.

The executives presided over last year’s Tustin Junior Pee Wee Red Cobras, a team of mainly 10- and 11-year-olds.

The Orange County Register (bit.ly/OsCHwh) says a group of parents alleges that head coach Darren Crawford and an assistant coach offered players cash for getting big hits and for knocking rivals out of playoff games last season. One player suffered a mild concussion.

National …

TUSTIN, Calif. (AP) — The league president and head coach of a children’s football team in Orange County have been suspended amid allegations that players were offered bounties to knock opponents out of games.

The executives presided over last year’s Tustin Junior Pee Wee Red Cobras, a team of mainly 10- and 11-year-olds.

The Orange County Register (bit.ly/OsCHwh) says a group of parents alleges that head coach Darren Crawford and an assistant coach offered players cash for getting big hits and for knocking rivals out of playoff games last season. One player suffered a mild concussion.

National Pop Warner officials say Crawford and Tustin President Pat Galentine have been suspended until the program investigates the allegations and issues a ruling.

Crawford, Galentine and former assistant coach Richard Bowman have denied the allegations.