February 8, 2012

Ford denies report he was dismissed from Newtonbrook

by Michelle Ervin

The Rob Ford campaign has slammed allegations that the mayoral candidate got into a physical altercation with a football player and was subsequently asked to leave his coaching position at Newtonbrook Secondary School in 2001, as was reported in a recent Toronto Star article.
 

Adrienne Batra, Ford’s director of communications, said he never laid a hand on the student and that his decision to leave the post was a mutual one.

“The report that was in the Star was false and inaccurate and slanderous,” said Batra.

She explained that Ford, who was head coach at the time, decided to pull the player in question off the field due to his performance in the game. The player was upset, and they exchanged words. The player then threw his helmet on the ground and Ford walked away, she said.

Batra said there’s a good chance Ford will pursue legal action with regard to the report.

The Toronto District School Board has no record of the incident. Spokesperson Kelly Baker could only confirm that after the decision was reached that Ford wouldn’t be able to continue coaching at Newtonbrook Secondary School.

Ford currently coaches football at Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School.
 

This article appears in the August 2010 issue of North York Post

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