A Lecanto High School football coach is calling out what he describes as a grave injustice by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), after both he and one of his players, a homeless student protected under federal law, were sanctioned just before the student’s senior night.
Lecanto High School assistant coach RJ Pollard took to Facebook to share the story, which has since sparked widespread outrage and support across the community.
Pollard said the player, identified as Raheim Heim, had been part of the Lecanto football team for more than a year and was an enrolled student when he lost his residence.
RJ’s family took the student in, offering him food, shelter, and stability.
Pollard wrote,
“In September of 2023, my son Ryder and daughter Paris told me about a player who had nowhere to sleep,” . “When I asked the young man about it, he reluctantly explained his situation, and my heart was broken for him. I told him to grab what he had and come home with us.”
RJ Pollard
He said that what started as a few days of shelter turned into a lasting bond.
The player became part of their family, celebrating holidays, attending family events, and improving academically and personally.
But the act of compassion led to punishment. According to Pollard, a rival school’s athletic director reported that multiple Lecanto players were using Pollard’s address to attend the school, an allegation later found to be false.
When the Lecanto athletic director checked Raheim’s paperwork, they found Pollard’s address listed on his EL2 physical form, confirming he was living with the coach’s family.
The FHSAA determined this constituted a violation under Policy 26, “impersmissible benefits to a player.”
Pollard said the ruling ignored that Raheim is a McKinney-Vento student, referring to the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which ensures that homeless students cannot be denied participation in school activities because of their living situation.
Despite self-reporting the situation and being transparent, Pollard was hit with a one-year suspension from coaching and a $5,000 fine.
At the same time, Raheim was suspended for the remainder of his senior football season, including senior night and potential playoff games.
Pollard said,
“FHSAA literally punished a kid who is protected under U.S. Code 42 McKinney-Vento Act,” . “They didn’t even review the full details of the investigation before handing out sanctions.”
RJ Pollard
Adding to the frustration, Pollard said the appeal hearing was set for November 3rd after Raheim’s season would effectively be over. He wrote,
“It’s amazing they can issue sanctions in less than a day but can’t schedule an appeal until after his final games,”
RJ Pollard
The coach’s post shared by James Brandl in The Coupon Kid Sales Facebook group gained traction, with hundreds of supporters rallying around the family and demanding accountability from the FHSAA.
One commenter, Lloyd Flanagan, suggested a bold show of solidarity:
I say the whole team show up for the football game, turn their backs, sit down and go home that’ll get their attention
Lloyd Flanagan
Others expressed outrage and disbelief. Shirley Zonnevylle wrote,
Really?? Such bullshit. Why are they targeting a young man who just wants to have a better life and a coach and his family willing to make that happen? Did the social workers, counselors anyone notice this young man? Thank you for being a role model and not caving into the foolishness. Whomever is questioning his being an illegal player must be really scared that one player will make or break the game. Stop being an asshole. Thank you and your family for blessing this young man.
Shirley Zonnnevylle
Elaine Diesing called the decision “absolutely disgusting,” urging the family to reach out to the media:
Are you freaking me?? This is absolutely disgusting to do to this child of God when all legalities point to this being absolutely wrong!!! What is wrong with these people. Let him play for goodness sake. Better Call Benkin and any other news person you can get to bring this ridiculousness to a stop. LET HIM PLAY. LET HIM
Elaine Diesing
PLAY. LET HIM PLAY. GIVE RJ HIS COACHING JOB BACK!!!🙏🙏🙏
Amy Goslee suggested finding an attorney willing to take the case pro bono, calling the situation “a shame.” Cindyk LoRusso went further, saying,
They need to sue the school district for everything they can get so this boy can go to college pays for in full.
Cindyk LoRusso
Kenneth Cordle wrote,
“He’s played these years,” “Imagine what this will do to him if he can’t play his senior year.”
Kenneth Cordle
Others emphasized that the punishment contradicts everything schools and athletic programs claim to value. Tony Hart commented,
Don’t they always say “We do what is best for the student/athlete” Well if that’s the case. They are WRONG. All they are doing is covering they’re own FAT A$$. LET THE KID PLAY. IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT WINNING. IT’S ABOUT DOING WHAT’S BEST FOR THE STUDENT/ATHLETE. Good luck. I’m on your side.
Tony Hart
Many called for media attention to pressure the FHSAA into reversing its decision. Lynn Valderrama wrote,
This needs local news attention, Let him play!!!
Lynn Valderrama
Pollard and his family have already filed an appeal and are seeking legal representation. Despite being suspended, the coach remains absolute. He said,
“They’ve already stolen a game from Heim,” “We will do whatever we can to get him back for his senior night.”
RJ Pollard
