A Catholic high school football player accused of making threatening social media posts against a player at a rival school could be getting his team in trouble. The student - who posted images of himself brandishing a gun and a knife on Instagram - along with comments like "I watched you, you run like a b----. I'll break your knees" - may be investigated by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
According to a report from the Collier County Sheriff's Office, when administration at the St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Golden Gate became aware of the posts, the student's mother was called and told to have him stay at home. But the school went on a brief lockdown on October 23 when someone reported seeing him on campus.
"Police officers did show up in the parking lot," St. John Neumann student Mike Lazar said. "The whole school went on pause for maybe 23 minutes. We all sat in our classrooms."
The lockdown was lifted when deputies determined that the student wasn't at school.
The Diocese of Venice, which oversees St. John Neumann, said they are conducting an internal review into the incident. When Fox 4 asked for an update to the review, a spokeswoman cited student confidentiality.
"All students, without exception, are required to follow the St. John Neumann Catholic High School Student Code of Conduct," wrote Susan Laielli, director of communications for the Diocese. "Failure to follow these rules results in consequences appropriate to the action."
The Florida High School Athletic Association confirms it is aware that there are questions about whether the student was even eligible to play football this fall. That means his team could face a penalty, if the association determines the school broke FHSAA rules.
An FHSAA spokesman told Fox 4 that per policy, no allegations can be investigated until after state championships.
