DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. -- Video taken by a parent amid a wrestling team gathering on the campus of Chaparral High School landed the team's coach in hot water.
The video depicts students encircled around a freshman wrestling team member who was held down and blindfolded. When called for, another student, who pulled down his pants, stood above the freshman. A commanding voice told the freshman to sit up, leading him to plant face-first into the backside of the more senior team member.
Rocky Johnson, the coach of the team, has since been dismissed after administrators were made aware of the video and the alleged hazing.
"The Douglas County School District does not tolerate inappropriate conduct by staff members," Paula Hans, Douglas County School District Public Information Officer, said. "Upon learning of this incident, we immediately contacted law enforcement and began our own investigation. The Chaparral high School Wrestling Coach is no longer employed by the Douglas County School District."
Hans said the safety of students is paramount in the brief statement on Friday. Police in Douglas County confirm they did investigate after being contacted, but said it didn't meet the threshold of filing charges.
The circulation of the video prompted outrage among some parents, with some who spoke to Denver7 calling for further investigation by police.
The victim’s father tells Denver 7’s Adam Hammond his son is doing OK tonight and still wants to be a part of the team.
He said his son isn’t enjoying the circulation of the video or attention that’s going with it.
Johnson, who is no longer employed by the school, is reportedly a UFC fighter who goes by the name "Rock Johnson."
He told Denver7 the video is being taken out of context and was not hazing.
Johnson said it was a prank, and the wrestling team is known to prank each other.
He also admits to making a poor judgment call when he allowed the incident to happen, and he regrets video of the event got out.
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