Not a good look.
Former Auburn wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez has been arrested for punching a nine-year-old autistic boy.
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Rodriguez was reportedly serving as a behavior support teacher at Eisenhower Exceptional Center when the incident occurred.
According to the report, Rodriguez was terminated after the incident was immediately reported.
The punch by Rodriguez reportedly occurred after the non-verbal, autistic nine-year-old boy hit Rodriguez in the face.
“Mr. Rodriguez was removed from the school while the investigation was going on and has now been terminated from the district,” a spokesperson for Hillsborough County Public Schools said. “We are deeply disturbed by the charges. The safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority.”
“I am disgusted by the actions of this individual who was not only in a position of authority and trust but was given the responsibility to protect our most vulnerable,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “No child, under any circumstance, should be subject to this level of violence.”
Rodriguez played three years for the Auburn Tigers from 2005-2007. He played professionally thereafter for many teams in the Arena Football League and the Canadian Football League.
He was hired by the school in August of 2023 and had no prior issues.
