Stratford Football Players Burn Hands On Turf During Coach's Punishment Drill

Stratford High School football coach T.J. Cavaliere is under fire after some of his players hands were blistered and burned when he made them crawl on the artificial turf with their bare hands earlier this week.

NBC Connecticut reports that Cavaliere wrote an apology to parents and said he had the players do the exercise in response to behavioral issues at Friday’s scrimmage.

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While this week’s soaring temperatures were unbearable enough for Stratford schools to have early dismissal on Tuesday, the temperatures on a turf surface get even hotter.

WTNH News 8 reports that a thermometer they used in a report on Wednesday showed temperatures on the artificial grass approaching 150 degrees.

Cavaliere wrote to parents, via NBC Connecticut, that “Hindsight is 20/20 and I was not aware that the turf could cause blisters on the boys’ hands. I apologize for what happened and have learned a valuable lesson.”

Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson told WTNH that an investigation is under way and that “I will assure you under any coach this type of thing isn’t going to take place again.”

At least one player posted a photo of his injured hand on Twitter but the post has since been deleted.

Cavaliere was not at Wednesday’s practice, according to NBC.

Read more at NBC Connecticut here and WTNH News 8 here.