Ooltewah Football Program being investigated

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) On Thursday, District Attorney Neal Pinkston’s office released information on the criminal complaints filed against the coaches and athletic director. In the release they also mention plans to look into the "culture of violence" in both the football and basketball programs.

"All I can say is that we have received a number of complaints about past incidents, and these individuals on the basketball teams are also on the football team," said Pinkston.

One former football player spoke at last night’s school board meeting asking for the witch hunt to end.

Kyle Puckett said, "We were never condoned to do anything like this… I watched out for everyone of them like they were my younger brother, and I would never ever, ever condone anything."

Many current and former players have come to the defense of the school and don’t believe that any hazing or violent rituals are part of the football team’s culture…

"So, y’all don’t have any kind of initiation upperclassman freshman you know?"

"NO! Not at all," said Ian Kilgore a sophomore football player.