School district commends Fernandina Beach for response after teammate hit with helmet

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Nassau County School District issued a statement after a Fernandina Beach football player was hit in the face with a helmet by an opposing player during a playoff game against Bell last week, commending players for their response after the turbulent incident.

In a video posted on social media, an offensive lineman from Bell reengaged with a Fernandina Beach player at the tail end of a play away from the action. The Bell player grabs the Fernandina Beach player by the facemask and brief pushing occurs. The Pirates player pulls away but the Bell player pulled his facemask off with his left hand, and then strikes the Fernandina Beach player in the face with the helmet.

It was an incident reminiscent of Cleveland’s Myles Garrett tearing the helmet off Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and using it to hit him during a 2019 game.

The impact knocked him to the ground as Pirates players raced out to help. Fernandina Beach won the game 48-21 in the opening round of the Sunshine State Athletic Association state playoffs.

“The incident at the conclusion of last Friday night’s football game between Fernandina Beach High School and Bell Middle/Senior High School, involving a Bell player pulling a FBHS player’s helmet off and striking him in the head with the helmet, has been reported to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference for investigation,“ the statement said.

“Bell Middle/Senior High School administration is aware of the incident and appropriate disciplinary consequences will be administered. The safety of our student athletes and proper sportsmanship are top priorities for all athletic programs at Fernandina Beach High School. We are proud of how our players, coaches, staff members, parents and fans represent the Pirate community. They are all to be commended for their response to what could have escalated into something much worse.”