Police Called on Parents of 3-Year-Old Soccer Star Accused of Being Too Good

Police body camera footage shows the moment officers were called to a youth soccer game in Winter Park, after a league organiser complained about the parents of a 3-year-old boy whose family says he was being pushed out for being too good.

Footage released by the Winter Park Police Department shows officers at the park on Saturday, October 24, first speaking with the organiser and then with the boy’s mother and father, as children play on the field behind them.

“So, the kid is good, right? He’s great. Real good,” the organiser tells the officers. He says the boy was scoring a lot of goals but pushing other children, and that the parents became angry when he took him out of the game to give others playing time. “I just want them out. Immediately,” he says.

“They’re literally kicking him out of this place because he’s good at soccer,” the boy’s mother tells officers.

The parents, who have identified themselves as Martasia Griffin and Don Pierre, had posted a viral video of their son Nevada dribbling past other children and scoring goals, saying police had been called on him for being “too good.” The league was part of the i9 Sports youth organisation.

Police said the league had asked the family to leave and offered them a refund, and the family said the game was over and they were leaving. The department called it a civil matter, saying the family was cooperative and that no one was arrested, trespassed or forced to leave the park.

At the end of the video, one officer can be heard saying: “I kinda want to see him play. I bet he’s good.”