Peabody Football Players Disciplined For Locker Room Video

PEABODY, MA — Peabody school officials said an investigation into high school football player locker room behavior on a video that circulated among students on social media determined that while the behavior violated student and athletic code, it did not meet the legal definition of hazing or bullying.

The district released the results of the investigation Thursday into the Nov. 18 incident when it determined football players entered a locker room unsupervised and engaged in simulated sex acts, while clothed, while voices could be heard using homophobic and racial slurs on the video.

Players involved in the incident have been "disciplined in a manner consistent with student and athletic handbooks" and appropriate discipline for coaches who allowed the students to enter the locker room unsupervised is being determined.

The district said it is also cooperating with a Peabody Police Department high school resource officer investigation.

"We do not tolerate this type of behavior," Peabody Superintendent Josh Vadala said in a statement. "Our school culture should reflect our best nature, of kindness and respect rather than inappropriateness, and we will make sure students understand the impact their actions have on others."

The Peabody incident comes on the heels of an 18-month investigation into accusations of racial and homophobic locker room behavior within the Danvers High boys hockey program. While Danvers officials said appropriate discipline was also issued in that case, parents and teachers voiced anger and frustration that the district was not transparent enough about what exactly took place and what specifically was done about it.

Peabody officials said in their statement they first became aware of the incident on Nov. 27 when a parent alerted them to the video. They said an immediate investigation was launched and that they met with the students believed to be involved, as well as their parents. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association was also notified.

Officials said players and parents were cooperative during the investigation.

"We took this matter seriously from the onset and addressed it in a manner consistent with our policies, procedures and values as a school community," Vadala said.

Officials said student-athletes and coaches will now be required to undergo additional training on "recognizing, preventing and responding to hazing and bullying."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)