Newtown Football Enthusiasts Sound Off On Dirty Play In NFL

New York Jets Strength and Conditioning Coach Sal Alosi subtly stuck out his knee and tripped a Miami player who was running out of bounds during Sunday’s loss. The coach was suspended without pay for the rest of the season, and fined $25,000.

Here are the thoughts of several Newtown football parents, coaches, and youth league director, on the play and Alosi’s punishment:

We’re a Jets family all the way and for the first season ever, we’ve actually had something to be proud about as Jets fans. We were really disheartened by the last two weeks’ losses, but as disappointing as those losses were, it was even more disappointing to see a Jets coach deliberately trip the opposing team’s player. The best thing the Jets could have done would have been to fire him immediately, but the fact that he was merely suspended and fined reflects poorly on the Jets as an organization.

—The LaFerrieres - Don, Vanessa, Noah (all involved in Dth grade football), and Savannah (D10 cheerleading)

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Frankly, I don’t know what to make of it. Obviously Alosi’s emotions got the better of him. He should have known better and now he’s paying the price: suspended through the end of the season and fined $25,000. I think the punishment fits the crime here, and am hopeful the Jets right the ship against the Steelers this weekend.

—Brad Paynter, parent of Gren (fourth grade football)

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I’m extremely disappointed in Jet Coach Alosi’s actions during Sunday’s game, which he admitted were inexcusable and irresponsible. Unfortunately, he made a huge mistake and, as expected, was punished for his poor judgment. Earlier [this week] I watched him speak at the podium before reporters and he was visibly shaken and on the verge of tears, owning up to and apologizing for his actions. At the end of the day as humans we all make mistakes and in turn need to forgive and move on.... Whether it’s youth football or the NFL, coaches are role models and must always set the example for players both on and off the field, regardless of the situation they are in.

—Sean Dunn, President of Newtown Youth Football

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Bush league, poetic justice that they lost. Hope they don’t make the playoffs.

—Newtown High School Football Coach Mike Lago

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It was an awful display of sportsmanship and teaches the players everything wrong to do on the field.

—Newtown High Football Head Coach Steve George