Wow we live in a hypersensitive community. Dress codes in Toole county now this way over exaggerated story. Let's all put our kids in a plastic bubble and put them somewhere warm and safe. Unless you want your kids living with you at age 35 and claiming they are your "stay at home children", best let them have some growing pains. Looks completely like an accident, a simple apology should do. ---PHR

say all the good things you want about the coach it's this simple watch the video in slow motion he stepped in bounds and hit the kid with his arms guilty after someone is arrested for robbing a bank or whatever people say what a good man he is

I've known Nathan Harris for more than ten years! I have worked for him, and played with him in sports. He is one of the most caring and thoughtful guys I know!!! He has never cheated anyone or thought to get back at anyone especially a child. For those who are playing the blame game please take a look at who Nate Harris is and not what the media is making him sound like. Nathan Harris wouldn't even hurt a fly!!! I don't think many of us take time to think what we would do if we had a split second to make a quick decision. Nate Harris is a person that would rather be taken advantage of than to take advantage. - js

Is this a JOKE?? This man is being labeled as a child felon and charged with felony child abuse when what he did was what most would have done when being charged at. He put his arms up and stepped into it to protect himself and those around or behind him, thats OBVIOUS. I am a football Mom, at my 13 y/o son's games EVERY Sunday and I would NEVER fault a coach on the sidelines for this. It was a "knee jerk protection reaction". You people appear to be ruining a good man's reputation, please smarten up and make this right!

I'm a football coach for Mapleton's other 7th Grade football team. I've practiced with Coach Harris and been on the sidelines with him at most of the games this season. I was out of town for the game in question, so I can't make any statements as to what happened - at least first hand. I can, however, vouch for the character of Coach Harris. He has been nothing but a gentleman and great sportsman in his volunteer coaching responsibilities. He's been soft spoken, reasonable and in control. I have spoken with the other Coaches who were on the sideline that day and all said that the incident took place on the sidelines - not on the playing field. Could Coach Harris have just put his arms out and tried to catch the kid - yes, but it's hard to say how any of us would react when a player is suddenly shoved out of bounds and straight into us. It was an unfortunate accident, simple as that. If Coach Harris was a loud mouth, overly competitive coach - then I might look at this incident differently. But, as previously stated, he's been very controlled, even tempered and a joy to coach with. It's a bummer that the Payson Player got injured in the game. He's a heck of a player and I wish him the best in his recovery.

You said on the newscast you had a poll asking whether viewers thought the action was intentional. I could not find your poll but it looked intentional to me. Parents should root for their children and their teams, but ALWAYS need to remain parent and positive role models. Knocking the boy down was wrong. Failing to show any concern afterward for his well being was unconscionable.

i am Takota Sanderson on Payson high football team and no game is worth hurting a kid to win. that coach should be charged and not be able to coach again.

Yes, the refs called multiple fouls on the play. They threw a flag on the Mapleton coach and ejected him from the game. They also threw a flag on the Payson coaches for refusing to leave the field and letting the refs administrate the game according to the rules.

Did the refs call a penalty? I didn't see any flag when I watched the video. Same with my grandson when he played American Fork sophomore game a couple weeks ago except it wasn't a coach, it was another player who hit my grandson with his helmet in the face causing my grandson to go to the emergency room with a possible broken jaw. This was an illegal hit and refs didn't call it - there were three right there. Video of the hit showed the illegal hit, no doubt. Refs, do your job - call illegal hits before a kid gets seriously injured.