A father from Wisconsin, who interrupted a game to trip a 9-year-old football player on the verge of scoring a touchdown, admitted that his decision to rush onto the field was impulsive, as revealed by police bodycam footage.
Terrence Bradshaw, a supporter of the Milwaukee Colts, was reported to law enforcement by parents shocked by his actions during a game at Case High School in Racine on August 22. He was apprehended approximately half a mile away during a traffic stop.
In his interaction with a police officer shortly after 11 a.m., Bradshaw confessed to his impulsive behavior, as noted in the obtained bodycam video.
“You went out on the field?” Officer Nicole Knierim asked him.
“I went out on the field,” he acknowledged.
The officer then asked, “And what did you do when you went out on the field?” to which he responded while rummaging through his wallet, likely searching for his driver’s license.
“I was trying to stop one of the kids out there on the field,” he explained. “There were just some bigger kids than my kid, and I got impulsive. I’ve already apologized to the whole team. I apologized to the coach.”
The officer seemed taken aback, exclaiming, “I mean, it’s kids. Kids!”
Charged with disorderly conduct, Bradshaw expressed his worries about his son’s safety while trying to justify his actions in the now-widespread video.
“My son has broken his arm twice, so when I saw him flip like that…” he said, trailing off. “I was just trying to stop the game to emphasize that can’t happen. And it just turned into a whole mess.”
He controversially claimed that both he and the Case Eagles player slid to the ground, despite being asked directly if he had kicked the boy.
“We slid together,” he insisted. “I was trying to stop him, but he was already running, so we slid.”
After considering his explanation, Officer Knierim and her partner decided that a disorderly conduct citation was appropriate.
“I’m more mad at myself than anything right now,” Bradshaw told the officers.
His actions resulted in a wave of criticism, both from the boy’s coach and on social media.
“I was filled with anger; it was disgusting,” remarked Eagles head coach Channing Schultz, expressing concern that the boy could have sustained serious injuries. “The way he kicked my little guy. His leg could’ve broken. His shin could’ve broken.”
Many online commentators urged for more severe charges, possibly for attempted battery.
A Mount Pleasant police spokesperson explained to WISN that “the elements were not met, specifically for bodily harm.”
Parents remain outraged that Bradshaw did not face harsher consequences.
“To me, it’s assault, especially assault against a child,” said Claire Bernal, a witness. “It’s not like you assaulted someone of your own size. I believe this person should be held legally accountable.”
If Bradshaw pays a $313 fine, he can avoid a court appearance.
