COMMACK, N.Y. — A summer football practice at Commack High School turned into a disturbing scene after a 16-year-old varsity player was allegedly struck in the face by a helmet thrown by an assistant coach.
The incident reportedly happened on Aug. 26 during practice at the Long Island high school. The teenager’s family says the assistant coach launched the helmet toward the player as he was getting up from the bench.
The helmet’s face mask allegedly struck the teen directly in the face, leaving him bleeding and requiring medical treatment. Suffolk County police confirmed to The Post that they are investigating an altercation involving a player and coach.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not announced any arrests in connection with the incident.
Family Says Helmet Was Thrown ‘Like a Dart’
The teenager’s parents described the incident as an unnecessary and dangerous act that should never have happened during a high school practice.
The boy’s mother, Laura Werner, told News 12 that her son saw the coach approach while holding the helmet.
“He saw the coach grab his helmet, running up to him… and threw the helmet, he said overhand, I guess like a dart, really hard…” Werner said.
According to the family, the helmet’s face mask struck the teenager and caused a significant cut.
“The face mask hit him and cut him. He was bleeding all over the place,” his mother said.
The teen was taken to a hospital, where he received three stitches under his right eye.
His family also said he is being evaluated for a potential concussion, adding another layer of concern following the alleged incident.
Teen’s Parents Question Coach’s Qualifications
The player’s parents are now questioning how the assistant coach was allowed to participate in the team’s activities. According to the family, the assistant coach was a school board-approved volunteer and is also the head coach’s son.
The teenager’s father, Cary Werner, said his son’s health and safety should have been the priority during practice.
“My son had somebody that was not a certified coach or trainer, a volunteer, and his health, well-being and safety was put at risk,” Werner told.
He also suggested that the incident exposed potential weaknesses in the process used to supervise players.
“And I think there were some things that slipped through the cracks,” he said.
The family has not only expressed concern about their son’s physical injuries but also about whether proper safeguards were in place during the practice.
Other Players Witnessed Helmet Incident
Several football players reportedly witnessed the helmet being thrown. However, the accounts did not establish whether the coach intentionally aimed the helmet at the teenager. That distinction could become important as investigators work to determine exactly what happened during the practice.
The family has described the incident as an attack on their son, while the available witness accounts indicate that players saw the helmet being thrown but could not say with certainty whether the teenager was the intended target.
Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
No Arrests Reported as Investigation Continues
Suffolk County police have confirmed that the incident is under investigation. As of Monday, no arrests had been made.
The investigation could determine whether the helmet was deliberately thrown toward the player, whether it was intended for another purpose, and what happened immediately before the teenager was struck.
Meanwhile, the player’s family is focused on his recovery and on ensuring that similar incidents do not happen to other student-athletes.
For a teenager participating in a varsity football program, practices are expected to be physically demanding, but the family says there is a clear difference between normal athletic contact and conduct that could cause serious injury.
The teenager’s facial injury required stitches, and his possible concussion is still being evaluated. The incident has also raised broader questions about the responsibility of coaches and volunteers when supervising high school athletes.
Do you think coaches and school volunteers should face stricter oversight when working with student-athletes? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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