Trials & Litigation

Pink Cleats Lawsuit Is On Again After Coach Benches Teen

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A Mississippi football player who was kicked off his high school team for wearing pink cleats may sue after all.

A verbal settlement agreement called for Coy Sheppard to rejoin the team at Mendenhall High School and give up any damages, but the coach reneged, according to Sheppard’s lawyer, Oliver Diaz. The Clarion Ledger and the Sun Herald have the story.

Sheppard was forced to sit on the bench in street clothes during the playoff game Friday evening, Diaz said. Sheppard’s mother was so upset her blood pressure spiked and she had to be hospitalized, according to the lawyer. Diaz is now considering filing an amended complaint seeking additional damages.

Sheppard wore the shoes to honor two family members who are breast-cancer survivors. The school district says he was cut from the team after ignoring the coach’s orders to remove them. Any award will go to the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

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