OCALA, Fla. – Hundreds of Marion County parents say they are frustrated with how the Marion County Youth Football League is being run, and a petition circulating on social media is calling for new leadership.
The petition, which has more than 650 signatures calls for the removal of the league’s president and vice president. Supporters claim the league has created “hate and division” and say they want better role models for children.
Several parents told News 6 they have pulled their kids from the league after disputes with league leaders. One of them is Kenneth Carr, who said he previously coached in the league.
Carr said problems started after he made a Facebook post about the idea of forming a Pop Warner team to honor his son, who was killed in a shooting in 2022. Carr said league leaders accused him of recruiting players, which he said was not his intent. Carr said he deleted the post, but was later told he could no longer coach.
“He’s telling lies, saying I told him I was going to steal kids. It was just a mess,” Carr said.
Carr said he wants changes in leadership so kids don’t lose the chance to play.
“A change, because to me, in my eyes, MCYFL as a whole, it’s a good thing for the community if it’s ran by the right people,” Carr said.
Another father told News 6 off-camera that he is upset after he said his son was removed from a team following a fight during a game, even though he said his child was not involved. The father said he is considering legal options.
News 6 reached out to the Marion County Youth Football League for comment about the petition and the parents’ concerns. After two emails, the league had not responded as of publication.
