TSSAA Yanks Owls' Jackson From Mr. Football Consideration

Arrested For Domestic Assault Against Ex-Girlfriend

  • Wednesday, November 18, 2015
  • Larry Fleming
Jeremiah Jackson
Jeremiah Jackson

Ooltewah linebacker Jeremiah Jackson, who was involved in a domestic assault incident at a basketball game at Ooltewah High School on Tuesday, has been removed as one of two finalists for the Mr. Football Lineman of the Year award.

Ooltewah school officials received the notification via an e-mail from Bernard Childress, executive director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, on Thursday.

“Because of the report TSSAA has received on the incident on Nov.

17 involving Jeremiah Jackson, TSSAA has determined that Mr. Jackson will be removed as a finalist for the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award in the Class 5A lineman category,” Childress wrote in an e-mail addressed to Ooltewah principal Jim Jarvis.

When contacted by e-mail on Thursday, Matthew Gillespie, the TSSAA’s assistant executive director, sent a copy of the same letter sent to Jarvis to Chattanoogan.com. 

TSSAA had been asked for comments on whether the other finalist would be declared the award winner and how much weight the TSSAA placed on character in determining the winner.

“Other than that we have no further comment,” Gillespie said via e-mail.

The TSSAA later declared that Tyrel Dodson, the second Class 5A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year candidate, is the 2015 award winner. 

Owls athletic director/assistant principal Jesse Nayadley said the decision on whether Jackson will or will not play in Friday’s quarterfinal football playoff game is up to the school, but no decision has been made.

Jackson, was arrested Tuesday night and has been charged with one count of domestic assault.

Police said the ex-girlfriend and mother of the child of Jackson said he slapped her in the mouth at an Ooltewah basketball game Tuesday night. The girl told police that Jackson was upset and hit her because she was sitting with another boy in the school gym during the game.

Police said two witnesses back up what she said and she had a cut on the inside of her lip consistent with being hit and her lip hitting a tooth. The girls said she was sitting with another male at the game when several people began telling her that Jackson wanted to speak with her. She said she refused “because she knew he would be upset.”

The girl then said Jackson came to talk to her and became upset while they were talking. She said it was then that she was slapped.

"We cannot discuss any individual student's discipline with anyone other than a parent or guardian," Jarvis said in a telephone interview. 

Asked if Jackson will play or be held out of Friday night's Class 5A quarterfinal playoff game against Rhea County, Jarvis said, "I can't discuss that."

Jarvis said he and Owls coach Mac Bryan had talked about the situation, adding, "I can't speak for Mac."

When Bryan phone in response to a text message seeking remarks on Jackson’s status with the team, the coach, in his third year at Ooltewah, said, “I have no comment.”

Jackson said he brought the girl to the game and he became upset when he saw her sitting with another guy. He said while they were talking she became upset and he put his hand up to tell her to back away. He said that is when she may have been hit, according to the police report.

The report said Jackson denied striking her maliciously and that Jackson “was extremely respectful and understanding.”

The report says, “Multiple people, including the school’s SRO, principal and football coach, said Jackson is a good student, athlete and person.”

Jackson was taken to jail, while the girl was given a school domestic violence report to fill out as she stayed at the game.

Ooltewah principal Jim Jarvis told Chattanoogan.com that he cannot comment on Jackson's

The senior linebacker, a Mr. Football finalist and the team's leading tackler, was released on $500 bond and is due in court on Nov. 25.

Jackson set the all-time Ooltewah record for career tackles this season. He's made 400-plus tackles and has started all four years. The backbone of the team’s highly successful defense, Jackson is being recruited by several colleges.

Speaking after Monday’s practice, Jackson said, “Hopefully, I can shine Friday night and get somebody’s (recruiters) attention.”

The Owls take a 9-3 record into Friday’s game at James N. Monroe Stadium while the Golden Eagles are 9-3. The winner advances to next week’s semifinals with a shot at a spot in the championship game at Tennessee Tech University.

Ooltewah has never won a state football championship.

(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)

 

 

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