Florida Coach and Daughter Arrested After Flag Football Brawl

The altercation began in the handshake line after a flag football contest in Palm Beach County on October 20. Witnesses said the coach’s 16-year-old daughter grabbed 15-year-old Sophia Lopez by the hair and pulled her to the ground. The girl was later charged with misdemeanor battery, also known as simple battery.

The daughter’s father, 37-year-old Brandon Mayer, was coaching at the game. Witnesses and the referee said he put Lopez in a chokehold for about 15 seconds. Lopez said she felt she might lose consciousness. She was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

Lopez’s father, Ryan, intervened and the people involved fell to the ground. He said Mayer’s daughter pulled his chain and kicked him in the face with a cleat as he tried to stand. Ryan also described seeing his daughter appear to be losing consciousness while she was held.

Mayer and his daughter gave police a different account, saying Lopez confronted the girl and Mayer tried to separate them. Mayer denied putting anyone in a chokehold, police records said. Authorities arrested both on October 28. Mayer faces a felony charge of battery by strangulation; his daughter faces a battery charge.

Mayer was released the following day on bond. The Lopez family said the coach and his daughter had been removed from the league.