Mike Vanderjagt, who Manning famously referred to as an "idiot kicker" back in the day, has suddenly popped back up in the news — and for an idiotic reason.
Vanderjagt, who had been coaching part time at Marco Island’s Charter Middle School in Florida, has been suspended from his position for allegedly grabbing a student by the throat and cursing at him, according to Naples Daily News.
The incident occurred on March 12. Marco Island Police responded to a call from Mark Albanese, who is the dean of students at the school. One student reportedly taunted Vanderjagt about his missed 2005 field-goal attempt against the Steelers by yelling "wide left, wide left" through a rolled-up poster board, which drew the ire of Vanderjagt and led to the confrontation.
Vanderjagt was reportedly walking through the parking lot when the heckling caught his attention, at which point he responded.
The former kicker told police that he placed his hand on the child's shoulder at the base of his neck after becoming fed up with the remaks, which he said had been going on for months. Vanderjagt told police that he placed his hands on the child to hold him in place while talking to him, and that he had no intentions of hurting or threatening the student.
It will now be up to the school's principal to decide when or if Vanderjagt is reinstated to coaching.
