Crime & Safety

Former Football Player Awarded $125,000 For Coach's Nipple Twist

A former Kathleen High School football player is $125,000 richer after convincing a jury that he still suffers pain from a nipple twist.

LAKELAND, FL – A former Kathleen High School football player is $125,000 richer after convincing a Polk County civil jury that he still suffers pain from a nipple twist he received seven years ago.

The jury awarded Davarus Robinson, a former defensive end for the Kathleen Red Devils, the money for his pain and mental anguish.

The verdict stems from an incident at the high school in September 2011. Robinson, now 25, claims Kathleen football coach Irving Strickland twisted his nipple for 15 to 20 seconds. He said the twist was painful and humiliating.

Find out what's happening in Havre de Gracefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Robinson filed a lawsuit against the Polk County School Board in 2013, blaming the board for his injury because it was responsible for hiring the coach. Following the nipple twist, the school board gave Strickland a letter of reprimand.

Giving testimony in court on Aug. 28, Strickland admitted to twisting the player’s nipple and apologized. Strickland lost his job in July when he allowed his teaching certificate to expire.

Find out what's happening in Havre de Gracefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Image via Google Earth

(For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.