A disturbing incident involving students from D.W. Daniel High School in Central, South Carolina, has raised concerns after three teammates allegedly attacked a senior football player during an off-campus football camp.
The disheartening event took place on July 7, 2025, at Presbyterian College in Laurens County, during a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) 7-on-7 football retreat.
The School District of Pickens County (SDPC) has responded to the allegations, which have spread widely on social media.
According to a Facebook post by Malarkey News, the attack happened because the three players believed the victim had used a racial slur in a group chat. The victim, however, denies using the slur.
The victim said, “They claimed I had said the N-word in a group chat. I didn’t.“
Allegedly, the three attackers cornered the senior in a dorm room while he was coming out of the shower, wearing only a towel.
One attacker reportedly hid in a closet, another sat by the victim’s bed, and the third sat on his roommate’s bed. Likewise, they allegedly told him:
If you try to escape, things are going to be much worse for you.
Facebook
The post claims that the three attackers said they would let him get dressed before “handling” him.
According to the victim, several teammates were also at the scene, coming and going; however, nobody helped him.
The victim also revealed that he quickly set his phone under the dresser, and right before the attack started, he used the camera app on his watch to start recording.
Then he was beaten, from which he suffered a severe concussion and bruises on his scalp and ribcage.
Doctors have reportedly told him he can no longer play contact sports due to his injuries. He said, “My senior season was taken from me not by injury on the field, but by a brutal, targeted assault based on a lie.”
Alleged Assault by Football Players at D.W. Daniel High School Sparks Outrage Across the Media!
The incident was allegedly captured on video, though it hadn’t been made public.
Charges for “attack by mob” are said to be pending against the three unnamed attackers in Laurens County, but no further details on the legal process have been released due to federal student privacy laws.
The School District of Pickens County issued a statement acknowledging a video circulating online that appears to show an altercation involving students during the off-campus football retreat.
The district hasn’t shared specific details about the students involved or any disciplinary actions, citing privacy laws.
However, a mother who could relate to the victim expressed her frustration, stating she initially trusted the school to handle the situation but felt compelled to speak out after the school welcomed the alleged attackers, described as “star players,” back to the team.
She even shared the video of the incident, saying the school cares more about winning than taking responsibility. People online are upset because the school described the serious injury as just an “altercation,” making it sound less severe than it really was.
Commenters criticized the school’s statement for downplaying the incident as an “altercation” when the victim was reportedly severely injured.
Others expressed disappointment that the spirit of the FCA event, meant to promote positive values, was not upheld by the attackers.
The school has a strong reputation, having been ranked the No. 3 high school in South Carolina and No. 692 nationally by U.S. News & World Report in 2012. However, this incident has raised questions about the culture within the football program and how school officials handle such events.
The School District of Pickens County has not provided further updates, and the investigation is ongoing.
