In a heartbreaking turn of events, the football dreams of a 14-year-old high school student from Brooklyn, New York, were violently cut short. Shayson Willock, once an aspiring football player at James Madison High School, suffered severe injuries after a brutal altercation with his coach, Nicholas Nugent. The incident, which took place in September 2023, has left Shayson with physical and emotional scars that may never fully heal.

The tragic event occurred during an after-school video review session for the football team. Shayson, who was recovering from a recent bout with COVID-19, struggled to stay awake during the session. According to the lawsuit filed by his mother, Deslyn Willock, Coach Nicholas Nugent became enraged when he noticed Shayson dozing off. In a fit of anger, Nugent allegedly kicked the young athlete out of the classroom and followed him into the school stairwell.

What happened next was nothing short of horrifying. The coach, who was entrusted with the care and development of his students, allegedly slammed Shayson’s head into the wall multiple times. The force of the impact was so severe that Shayson’s head started bleeding profusely. Nugent then reportedly shoved him into a metal pole before the disoriented teenager managed to stumble back into the classroom, where he eventually lost consciousness.

Shayson’s mother, Deslyn Willock, received a phone call from the school informing her that her son was injured. However, what she heard over the phone did not prepare her for the sight that awaited her. When she arrived at the school, she found her son lying on the floor, bleeding from a deep gash in his head. Despite the school being located less than 500 feet from an emergency room, no ambulance had arrived by the time she got there.

The extent of Shayson’s injuries was severe. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors had to use six staples to close the wound on his skull. He was also diagnosed with a concussion, and further tests revealed possible brain contusions and damage to his spine. According to Deslyn’s lawyer, Richard Kenny, Shayson’s cervical spine now shows multiple herniations—an abnormality for someone his age that could have long-lasting consequences.

Feeling deeply betrayed by the school’s handling of the situation, Deslyn Willock decided to take legal action. On Monday, she filed a $2.5 million lawsuit against Coach Nugent, the city, and the Department of Education. The lawsuit claims that the school administration tried to downplay the severity of the incident, initially telling her that Shayson had simply fallen during an argument. However, the reality was far more sinister.

Coach Nugent was arrested a few days after the incident and charged with multiple counts of felony assault, endangering the welfare of a child, harassment, and menacing. Despite these serious charges, Nugent has been released on supervised release and is awaiting trial. When contacted by the New York Times, Nugent declined to discuss the case, stating only that he is focused on defending his rights in court.

The physical injuries Shayson sustained are only part of the story. The emotional and psychological toll of the incident has been profound. Shayson, once passionate about football, now says he has lost all interest in the sport. He has transferred to a different school in an attempt to move on, but the trauma lingers. He can’t imagine returning to the field, even if doctors were to clear him to play.

For Deslyn, seeing her son’s dreams shattered has been devastating. She has taken a leave of absence from work to care for him, spending sleepless nights watching him writhe in pain. “When the situation had just happened, he would tell me that he felt like he doesn’t have a life anymore,” she said. “He feels like everything was taken away from him.”

Despite the overwhelming challenges, Deslyn holds onto the hope that her son will one day regain his love for football. “As a mother,” she said, “I would love for him to play football one day again.” But for now, the focus is on Shayson’s recovery—physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility that educators and coaches have toward their students. When that trust is broken, the consequences can be devastating. The Willock family’s pursuit of justice highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in our schools. The lawsuit not only seeks compensation for Shayson’s injuries but also aims to ensure that such an incident never happens again.

As the legal process unfolds, the Willock family hopes for a resolution that brings them some measure of peace and, most importantly, ensures the safety of other students in the future.