USA (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Eight Philadelphia youth football players, aged 14-15 from the United Thoroughbreds, face felony charges for stealing over $2,000 from a Dick’s Sporting Goods in Florida hours before their championship game. Coach Raekwon Bynes spoke out, expressing hope for accountability amid backlash from Sheriff Grady Judd, who branded him the “ultimate loser” for pleading leniency.
Incident Details
The theft unfolded around 10:55 a.m. at the Dick’s Sporting Goods in Posner Plaza, Davenport, as reported across multiple outlets. As detailed by Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) in their press release cited by Fox 13 News, the eight suspects arrived separately in two groups via Uber from their hotel, where they were staying for the Prolific Nationals tournament. Surveillance video showed them browsing merchandise before stuffing 47 items including football gloves, lip guards, hoodies, and other gear into bags and clothing.
One group distracted staff while another filled a purchased Dick’s bag, with three teens aimon Johnson, Mark Bryan, and Ibn Mahdee Abdul-Haqq passing all points of sale and exiting, Bryan carrying the loaded bag and Abdul-Haqq concealing items in a black backpack. Deputies detained them outside, locating the remaining five inside the store, one with a beanie hidden in his pants. Store manager alerted authorities in progress, confirming the total value at $2,296.07.
As per ABC News reporter Andrea Fujii, the players worked in teams of two, earning the moniker “Thoroughbred Thieves” from Sheriff Judd, who unrolled an oversized receipt at his press conference to list the items. None of the juveniles apologised or provided statements, and all had clean prior records per Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center. They were transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center, barring them from the evening championship.
Sheriff’s Strong Response
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a fiery press conference, lambasting the teens and their coach. As quoted by New York Post reporter Yaron Stein, Judd stated:
“You would expect the coach to want to hold them accountable, yet he approached deputies, pleading not to take these young men into custody.”
He recounted the coach saying,
“Oh, don’t [arrest] them, [drop] the charges, let them [go].”
When arrests proceeded, Judd reported the coach retorting:
“Don’t you have anything better to do than arrest these kids?”
Judd fired back:
“They weren’t stealing bubble gum; they took over $2,000 worth of goods… You chose to be arrested, and that’s the reality. And as for the coach, you’re completely off the mark here. You’re the ultimate loser.”
Whiskey Riff contributor Matthew Frank echoed Judd:
“I don’t know how you do things in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but in Polk County, Florida, we lock you up for stealing… If you’d been coaching these kids up right… they would have played in a ball game Saturday night.”
Judd added to KRCR TV:
“These juveniles were not from Polk County, they came here from out of state for a football tournament, and instead of representing their team with pride, they chose to commit a crime… Let this be clear: it doesn’t matter if you’re from here or visiting, if you break the law in Polk County, you will be arrested and held accountable.”
He noted: “They let the team down. What about the rest of the kids on the team?”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis posted on X: “They picked the wrong state and the wrong county,” as covered by ABC News.
Coach’s Reaction and Team Statement
Coach Raekwon Bynes, 29, from Philadelphia, arrived at the scene and verified the teens’ team affiliation, notifying parents, per Fox 13 News PCSO release. As reported by 6ABC Action News (WPVI), one coach unnamed but contextualised as speaking for the organisation told reporters over the phone: “We are not condoning the thefts some of the players are accused of. It ruined a good thing for the entire team of players and coaches who put their hearts into the journey.”
He revealed the boys “snuck out without anyone knowing,” adding some were starters, devastating others who trained “nearly half their lives.” NBC Philadelphia tweeted on 10 December: “The coach said he hopes the eight Philly teens facing felonies for stealing in Florida learn that there are consequences for their actions.”
The team issued a statement acknowledging “a mistake was made” but decrying “death threats” and hostility, as noted by Whiskey Riff. 6ABC quoted the coach: “The organisation is not condoning what happened,” emphasising the loss’s impact.
Legal Consequences
All eight face extradition to Florida for third-degree felonies: retail theft over $750 and conspiracy, per PCSO via ABC 6 On Your Side and NY Post. They declined statements and have no priors. As ABC News stated: “They will have to return to Florida from Pennsylvania to face the charges against them.” The arrests cost them the game, a 26-6 defeat.
Broader Context and Reactions
The United Thoroughbreds travelled for the Prolific Nationals, turning triumphant potential into scandal. 6ABC’s WPVI report highlighted Sheriff Judd’s zero-tolerance: “You don’t want to go to jail? You don’t want to go to juvenile lockup? Don’t steal.” YouTube coverage from unspecified outlet reiterated felony charges post-surveillance evidence.
Media frenzy ensued, with outlets like KRCG TV noting no apologies from teens. The coach’s defence drew Judd’s ire, framing a clash of accountability cultures. Parents were notified, but no further statements emerged. This case underscores youth sports travel risks amid strict Florida enforcement.
