RE “Rival rips coach of injured players” (Metro, Oct. 25): Southbridge Pop Warner vice president Rob Philion was within his rights to defend his players. but he was out of bounds when he said that it was “not the duty nor the responsibility of the Southbridge coaching staff to monitor the ways in which their opponents manage their teams.” Does he need to be reminded that all of the players in Pop Warner football are children?
These are kids who want to respect adults. Contrary to what Philion said in his prepared statement, it is the duty all adults in our society to monitor the ways in which other adults in their presence manage the health and safety of children in their care.
As much as the Tantasqua coaches are accused of breaching their duty to the children in their charge, then Philion and his Southbridge coaches stand just as accused. When it comes to the health and safety of children, adults need to know when to intervene. That knowledge should be so ingrained that intervention becomes automatic, not problematic.
The writer is a personal injury attorney.