Nick O’Leary, grandson of golfer Jack Nicklaus and one of the nation’s top football recruits, has been suspended for two games following an obscene gesture he made toward the stands after a game in Ohio.
O’Leary, a tight end for Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer, could have been suspended for up to six weeks for the “unsportsmanlike act,” said the Florida High School Athletic Association.
O’Leary received the suspension following Dwyer’s 26-22 victory against Cleveland Glenville High on Monday. Instant replays showed that the reigning Florida Class 4A champs twice scored what should have been the go-ahead touchdown in the final moments of Monday’s game. Replays of yet another possible touchdown on a quarterback sneak play were determined to be inconclusive.
Dwyer coach Jack Daniels initially planned to have his football team forfeit the two games in question instead of playing them without O’Leary. He quickly realized, however, that this plan would make Dwyer ineligible for state tournament play if they managed to qualify, according to the FHSAA.
Toward the end of Monday’s game, officials ruled that one of Dwyer’s receivers was out of bounds and not out of the end zone on the first questionable play, despite instant replays showing that this wasn’t the case. The other two plays were run plays close to the goal line, including one critical play in the final minutes of the game.
O’Leary gestured to the crowd as his team was leaving the field and TV cameras captured the moment.
O’Leary is considering Miami, Florida State and Alabama, among other schools.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyRnoMDpWt4
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