HEADLAND, Ala (WDNews) The Headland Pee Wee Football Association has been removed from the Wiregrass Youth Athletic Conference following reports of inappropriate behavior by adults during recent competitions — a decision now sparking public disagreement between the two organizations.
In statements posted to Facebook, both Headland Pee Wee officials and the Wiregrass Youth Athletic Conference addressed the incident, which reportedly occurred during last Saturday’s events.
Headland Pee Wee officials said they are “in no way not taking responsibility for their part in what has led up to this,” acknowledging that “a handful of its adults made bad decisions throughout competitions that took place on Saturday that is not in line with our standards.” The group said one of those adults “immediately apologized and took full responsibility.”
However, the association said it requested an in-person meeting with all league presidents to discuss the situation but was denied. “We simply feel it is wrong to punish an entire community for the actions of a handful of adults without our Board being given a chance to reprimand the individuals for their actions,” the statement said.
Witness accounts indicate that a drone was allegedly flown over a competitor’s cheer practice before competition, but it remains unclear if that incident was part of the conference’s decision or related.
The Wiregrass Youth Athletic Conference stated its top priority is to “provide a safe experience where kids can learn the game, be taught life lessons, and hopefully come to love football and cheer.”
The WYAC said “winning at all cost is unacceptable,” and called “threatening officials by coaches that represent an association” and “calling officials racial slurs” intolerable. The league added that while it’s unfortunate that children are affected, “there are also consequences for decisions and kids have to learn that.”
“I am proud of the presidents of each association for stepping up and doing the right thing when it’s needed,” the WYAC statement said.
One Headland coach Josh Floyd, also spoke out on social media, saying he believes the situation has been exaggerated. “I love each and every one of my players and I’m going to stand up for them,” Floyd said. “Some things were probably said after the game, but I promise there weren’t no racial slurs or threats said to them refs after the game.
Floyd said he felt it was unfair that coaches were being portrayed negatively also. “I don’t like how y’all are trying to paint us coaches as the bad guys in this situation,” he said.
Many community members and football parents have taken to social media expressing frustration over the decision. They say they want the adults involved held accountable — but not at the expense of the children, who they feel should still be allowed to play football and cheer.
Despite the removal, Headland Pee Wee officials said the community’s football and cheer programs will continue independently. “Rest assured that doesn’t mean that Headland Pee Wee will cease to exist,” the group said. “Please keep in mind that this is a perfect representation of how children will always pay the price for adult decisions.”
