An online petition to remove Deshler High School football coach Patrick Malone is nearing 1,500 signatures.
The petition was started by social media influencer Terrance Wren, who also organized a protest and community march on October 31 over the perceived injustice and lack of transparency surrounding an incident involving 15-year-old August Borden, who, while walking to football practice on August 19, sustained severe injuries and had to be airlifted to a Birmingham hospital after being resuscitated.
"On a fateful day under the supervision of Coach Patrick Malone, a tragedy unfolded that has forever impacted the lives of not only our beloved August Borden but also the community of Tuscumbia, Alabama," the petition, which had 1,422 signatures on Thursday afternoon, stated. "August, a promising 15-year-old athlete with dreams and ambitions, ended up with life-threatening injuries during the time Coach Malone was supposed to be overseeing the Deshler football team's practice.'
It continued, "It is not just the physical safety that is at stake, but the moral responsibility to hold each team member accountable for their actions. Under the guidance of Coach Malone, there is a pervading sense of unaccountability and lack of structure, which has led to repeated incidents that compromise the safety and well-being of every player on the team. The community demands change and a commitment to safeguarding our youth."
According to Borden's parents, shortly after the incident, Malone said there was "some kind of scuffle involving August and another child," more like "boys being boys." This was later confirmed by the Madison County District Attorney's Office, but after other school officials attributed the injuries to an accidental fall.
Malone has served as Deshler's head football coach since 2022. The team is currently in the playoffs, having ended the regular season with an overall 10-1 record, according to MaxPreps.
Wren also started online petitions to remove from office Madison County District Attorney Robert Broussard for choosing not to press charges against the student who caused Borden's injuries and Colbert County District Attorney Hal Hughston for allegedly "intervening" to make sure the case went to Broussard after Hughston recused himself. As of Thursday, the petitions had 1,445 and 2,474 signatures, respectively.
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