Is the “hazing code” at work here? Apparently the judge in this case found the three alleged attackers in this case not guilty, but not because he didn’t think freshman Darrion Denson wasn’t attacked, but because no one else could–or would–identify the actually assailants.

You know, when this incident first happened last year, it was hard for us to tell if this was a real case of hazing, or just a family looking to make some money because their son got pushed around in the locker room. As you may recall, one of the first things the parents of the victim did was hold a press conference . . . quite an unusual move in a hazing case.

But apparently the incident was serious enough for the state to bring charges against three Dr. Phillips High School (Florida) football players and have a trial. Interestingly, a plea deal that would have amounted to a slap on the wrist was offered to the accused and they refused, preferring to go to trial. Could be interesting.

Apparently everyone BUT the adults at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando knew about the football team’s hazing practices.

Well, that is, everyone but the adults AND one freshman player who was dumb enough to walk into the “varsity locker room.” What happened to that lad? A wedgie perhaps? A swirlie in the toilet? Maybe some good natured ribbing about his sister or his mother? No at Dr. Phillips HS, if you wander into the wrong locker room the older players will–allegedly–punch and kick you, throw chairs and a garbage can at you and put you in a choke hold until you pass out. All of which, according to the parents of the 15-year-old freshman player, resulted in a concussion. That, of course, is because the player went into a “forbidden area” that teammates say is sanctioned by the coaching staff. Said a teammate:

“Varsity — they work for that locker room for like four years and coach said that if you go in there, they gonna beat you up and they’re allowed to. Coach give them permission for that.”

The school district says it’s looking into the case, but with wait until local police finish their investigation.

Locker room ‘hazing’ sends Dr. Phillips player to hospital (13 News)