Coach sued for $20 million over thrown helmet
McMINNVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The mother of a former Warren County High School football player hit in the head last year by a helmet thrown by head coach Gerald Tidwell is suing him for $20 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
The suit was filed in Shelbyville, Tenn., where on Aug. 30, 2002, junior fullback Mario Pezzimenti was inadvertently struck in the head by a helmet thrown by Tidwell during a heated halftime speech. Pezzimenti required 10 stitches to the left side of his head.
Tidwell was charged with assault and received pretrial diversion. He was required to spend 11 months, 29 days on probation, fined $500 and ordered to undergo anger management counseling. Additionally, he was suspended with pay from his coaching and teaching duties until last Oct. 23 by school officials.
County attorney Larry Stanley, who will defend the coach when the case goes to trial, said he believes the suit itself is not well grounded.
Attorneys in the case said it could be a year before the suit is heard.