A former NFL player with years of experience was involved in a physical altercation with a youth football coach in his home state. The dust-up took place after the ex-player inquired about his son’s practice and proceeded to escalate the matter even further.
Christopher Massey, a former long-snapper, was arrested in West Virginia after a situation escalated to physical contact the coach. Massey has been charged with obstructing an officer, battery, trespassing – asked to leave, and disorderly conduct.
The youth football coach was also an off-duty sheriff’s deputy, further complicating the situation and landing Massey in more legal trouble than he anticipated.
What Happened Between the Player and Coach?
The situation began when Massey attended his son’s practice at Winfield Middle School, where the deputy works as an assistant coach. After the two men spoke with one another, authorities say Massey “became disruptive.”
The deputy/assistant coach then refused to engage with Massey further, noting that the former player became “irate.” The assistant coach made it clear that he was a deputy and that he would arrest Massey if needed.
The deputy then went to his car to get handcuffs and pepper spray, and he also called in for more officers to respond. While he walked to his car, authorities say Massey paced the parking lot and continued to argue with him.
The deputy allegedly told Massey to leave several times, an order he refused to comply with. The complaint alleges that Massey then went “nose to nose” with the deputy, telling him that he wasn’t leaving the scene.
The deputy then pushed Massey to create space between them, and Massey allegedly knocked a pair of handcuffs out of his hands. The deputy used pepper spray as the complaint says Massey tried to take him down by grabbing his legs. The complaint also alleges that Massey removed his shirt and assumed “an aggressive fighting stance.”
The deputy was eventually able to subdue Massey, handcuffing him before other officers arrived at the scene. The complaint notes that the deputy’s tooth was chipped in the process.
Massey’s Employer Responds to the Incident
After the altercation, the Putnam County Board of education – Massey’s employer through his role at Winfield High School – released a statement.
“The Putnam County Board of Education and school administration are aware of an altercation that has been reported in the news media and resulted in criminal charges,” the statement said.
“The school system is fully cooperating with the appropriate investigative authorities to ensure that the matter is handled thoroughly and appropriately….Putnam County Schools remains committed to maintaining a safe, supportive environment for all students and staff. We will continue to cooperate with authorities and handle this matter internally in accordance with all legal and policy requirements.”
Massey spent time with the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams in his NFL career, and also spent a short stint with the Carolina Panthers after entering the league as a seventh-round pick out of Marshall in 2002.
