FREDERICK, Md. – A Maryland high school football coach has retired after a player says the coach tried to choke him while kneeling on his chest.
St. John's Catholic Prep President Thomas Powell said Thursday that John Ricca retired to pursue other opportunities.
Ricca couldn't be reached for comment. Calls to his listed home number were eventually answered by a man saying it was a Pizza Hut.
Cellphone video verified by The Associated Press shows Ricca pulling 17-year-old Errance Meeks over a table and struggling with him on a gymnasium floor Feb. 4.
Meeks says he initiated some horseplay that escalated.
Powell says he apologized to the parents on behalf of the school.
The boy's father says he's pursuing an assault charge against Ricca.
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This story has been corrected to reflect that it is Ricca, not Powell, who is accused of pulling Meeks over the table.
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