3 Daniel players attack teammate during FCA camp at PC

A Daniel High School football player claims that he suffered life-altering injuries after being attacked and beaten in a Presbyterian College dorm room by teammates during a Fellowship of Christian Athletes 7-on-7 camp in early July.

A video allegedly of the event recorded by the victim has been circulating widely on the internet and depicts the victim attacked by three other teens as others did nothing to stop the attack.

PC officials released a statement acknowledging the incident Monday.

“On July 7, Presbyterian College Campus Police were notified of an incident involving minor high school students who were participating in a Fellowship of Christian Athletes summer football camp,” the statement read. “After an initial investigation of the incident, Campus Police followed protocol and referred the matter to the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice and the 8th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. “There were no PC students or personnel involved in the incident, nor was the camp sponsored by the college. FCA was renting the college’s facilities. We do not tolerate any form of violence on our campus. We hope that due process and justice will be served appropriately ”

The School District of Pickens County said in a statement that the incident is being investigated and punishments are being and will be meted out as the investigation continues.

“Consequences have been and will be administered in accordance with district policy and athletic policy,” the district’s statement read. “Due to federal student privacy laws (FERPA), we are unable to share specific details regarding the students involved or the disciplinary actions taken.

“We are aware that there are multiple factors and perspectives in this situation and remain committed to a thorough and fair review of this situation, as well as an investigation of the football program as a whole. While we are committed to helping all our students learn and move forward, we do not downplay the fact that the altercation occurred. Ensuring a safe and respectful environment is a top priority, and we are addressing this matter with the seriousness it deserves, again, in line with district policies and the law.”

Daniel won Class 3A state football championships in 2023, 2021 and 2020 and moved to Class 4A during the South Carolina High School League’s 2024 realignment.

In a social media post last week, the mother of the victim said his son’s assailants were “stars” on the Daniel football team and those players were welcomed back on the team after the attack and that influenced his decision to “go public” with the matter.

“I felt they were sending a clear message that the coach and administrators value winning over all else,” the post read.

The incident is now being investigated by the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and, if necessary, will be handled in the courts by the 8th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

“My office is aware of the incident that occurred during the FCA team camp held earlier this month at Presbyterian College,” said 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo. “We are monitoring the situation daily and working closely with the the Department of Juvenile Justice and the law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction. In accordance with state law Section 63-19-2020 and 63-19-2040, my office cannot comment further at this time as this is an active investigation involving juveniles. We will provide updates on the case when appropriate and as state law allows.”

According to the victim in the same post as his father, he was accused of using a racial slur in a group chat. He denied that allegation.
In addition to Daniel, some other participants in the FCA 7-on-7 camp included Laurens, Ninety Six, Batesburg-Leesville, Broome and Carolina Academy.

The FCA’s national office also released a statement on Monday.

“The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is aware of the incident that occurred at camp in South Carolina and took immediate action to address the situation, including sending the involved campers home. Their behavior falls unacceptably short of our standards of integrity, service, teamwork and excellence that FCA expects of all participants and has no place in our community,” the statement read. “For over 70 years, FCA has upheld the highest standards of personal conduct, morality and sportsmanship for our coaches, athletes, campers and staff. We remain fully committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment for every participant in our program.”