Cops over in the US are investigating practices at a high school after video footage has emerged of… wait for it… cheerleaders being forced into the splits.
And you thought Bring It On was savage.
The below video, just released to the public, shows several cheerleaders holding another student’s legs and arms as a coach pushes her down. The poor girl repeatedly begs them to “please stop” – nine times actually – before the coach lets up.
Serious trigger warning but here’s the footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDAxSNcDarI
Denver police are investigating the administration at East High School, after the girl in the video suffered a burst blood vessel. She’s currently in physical therapy.
Her mother, Kristen Wakefield, alleges that she sent the school the video in June but they didn’t launch an investigation until 2 days ago, which was conveniently on the same day the Denver Police Dept received an anonymous tip off and launched their own investigation.
“We absolutely prohibit any practices that place our students’ physical and mental health in jeopardy,” said Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg in a statement to The Denver Post.
“We do not and will not allow any situation in which a student is forced to perform an activity or exercise beyond the point at which they express their desire to stop.”
In the same statement, cheer coach Ozell Williams said the videos have been taken out of context.
“You can definitely say that what was in the video could be seen in a different light. I would love to tell my story, but I can’t say anything else at this time.”
Stick to spirit fingers. If you must.
