TORONTO – Mayor Rob Ford has been dropped as the football coach at Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) issued a statement just before 3 p.m. Wednesday saying they had informed Ford of the board’s decision to “pursue a different direction with a new volunteer head coach.”
“Mr. Ford has helped out students rise to the challenge and realize their potential as both football players and young men,” Director of Education Bruce Rodrigues said in the press release.
The TCDSB says a new volunteer coach has been found.
The news comes just days after the Toronto Star and U.S.-based website Gawker said they had viewed an alleged video purporting to show Mayor Ford smoking what looked like crack cocaine.
TCDSB officials say Ford’s departure from the Don Bosco team is not directly tied to the recent video allegations.
The mayor has called the allegations “ridiculous.”
And his brother, Councillor Doug Ford, spoke to the media Wednesday afternoon saying the allegations are untrue.
TCDSB officials say Ford’s departure from the Don Bosco team is not directly tied to the recent video allegations. Instead, Ford’s departure comes after an extensive review of the mayor’s relationship with the school launched by the school board in March.
Gawker also published a photo of what could be mayor ford posing with three individuals – one of whom – the website identified as Anthony Smith.
He was gunned down outside of a Toronto nightclub in March.
Global News has not seen the alleged video and thus cannot verify the claims made by the Star and Gawker.
The full statement regarding Rob Ford from the TCDSB:
The Toronto Catholic District School (TCDSB) thanks Mayor Rob Ford for his contribution and many years of service to the Don Bosco Eagles Football Program. The Board has informed Mr. Ford of our decision to pursue a different direction with a new volunteer head coach for the Don Bosco Eagles senior football team.
Mr. Ford’s passion for football, his commitment to the Don Bosco players and their success speaks for itself. The Board is very grateful for the Mayor’s contribution.
“This is an exciting game that helps to develop strategic thinking, strength and agility while also fostering values such as teamwork, perseverance and good sportsmanship. Mr. Ford has helped our students rise to the challenge and realize their potential as both football players and young men,” says Bruce Rodrigues, the Director of Education. “This decision was based on what is best for our students, our school and the Don Bosco community.”
The Board’s primary responsibility is to ensure a positive learning environment for all our students and promote our school’s ongoing commitment to academic achievement, well-being and excellence. We recognize and respect that the
Mayor’s first commitment is to the priorities of the taxpayers and citizens of the City of Toronto.
The football program will continue at Don Bosco and at all other TCDSB high schools that have teams. The TCDSB is appreciative for the thousands of volunteers who augment the work of our dedicated staff for various athletic and academic school programs and events throughout the school year.
Correction: The original story indicated Anthony Smith was a player on the Don Bosco eagles coached by Mayor Rob Ford. He was not.
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