Youth football coaches send letter of apology for fistfight

RENO — Two Nevada youth football coaches have apologized for taking part in a bloody fistfight in front of dozens of players and parents after a game last year.

Luis Perez and Neftaly Sanchez released a joint letter to the Wendover Times weekly newspaper, saying they were especially sorry that players and parents had to witness the fight.

The October 2012 incident in West Wendover near the Utah border stemmed from the final play of a game involving 10- to 13-year-old boys that was won by Perez’s team. Police said both men “chest-bumped” each other, threw punches and yelled obscenities.

Perez and Sanchez pleaded guilty in August to charges of disturbing the peace. The apology was printed in September. It came as part of a sentence that included an $887 fine and an order to take anger management classes.