Football Coach’s Family Is The Target Of Threats

There will be some changes at a high school football game Friday after threats were made against the coach’s family. The family who has been targeted confirms the threats came in person and over the internet.

There is no doubt that high school football is competitive and there are rivalries between schools but Panther Valley High School football coach Frank Damian won’t be at the sidelines of this weeks game at Tamaqua. He said it’s to protect his family and the players.

Confirmation of a threat came from the Coach Damian’s wife. She said there was a threat of bodily injury made against Damian’s son, who plays football, and another football player.

“My daughter’s a cheerleader and I kind of take that offensively,” said Drew Tyahil of Palmerton. He loves to go to football games and is surprised to hear about the threats. “I think that’s kind of uncalled for to ruin someone’s life like that with the threats made to his family.”

Other high school football fans agree. “That’s absurd, really. That’s taking it way too far. I mean it’s kids, it’s a game. It’s ridiculous!” said Kyle Kehrli of Lansford.

“It should be taken seriously and he’s probably doing the right thing for himself, concerning himself and his family, and he has the right to coach the team and he should be able to play,” said Scott Reynolds of Lansford.

Police departments in the area said they have not been contacted because of the threats. Apparently school officials want to handle the threats internally.

Friday’s game between Panther Valley and Tamaqua will go on, without Coach Damian on the sidelines.