Watch above: New documents allege Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was drunk and abusive while coaching his high school football team. Despite a steady stream of bad news, there’s a very real possibility Ford will be re-elected. Mike Drolet reports.
TORONTO – Mayor Rob Ford’s behaviour is yet again under the microscope following the release of documents revealing disturbing details of when he was a head coach of a Toronto high school football team.
The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star are both reporting Thursday that Ford allegedly threatened a teacher, appeared drunk at a practice and swore at students.
It all occurred in the months leading up to his dismissal as a football coach at Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School.
The allegations are based on more than 300 pages of documents released from the Toronto District Catholic School Board (TDCSB) on a Freedom-of-Information request.
It is further alleged that Ford made his players roll around in goose feces and delayed mandatory criminal background checks for himself and his coaching staff.
Ford was fired as head coach of the Don Bosco Eagles in May 2013 after nearly 10 years in the role.
A statement released by the TDCSB said it had thanked Ford for his efforts but wanted to move in a “different direction.”
No clear reason was given at the time as to why he was relieved of his head coaching duties.
“This decision was based on what is best for our students, our school and the Don Bosco community,” said TCDSB Director of Education Bruce Rodrigues in the release.
The board had decided to release the documents of Ford’s firing this past March but the mayor appealed to the province’s information and privacy commissioner. The case was closed in early August.
The TCDSB had first refused to reveal them to the Toronto Star due to the fact Ford was considered a “quasi” employee.
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