Football players arrested in shoplifting ring suspended from playing

A group of Austin-East football players arrested for felony shoplifting will not be allowed to play Friday in the playoffs, Knox County Schools have announced.

After the school board's monthly meeting ended, members went into a workshop session.

During that session, Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre announced his decision.

"While federal student privacy laws really restrict what I can say publicly about the individual students, I will say administrative action has been taken in suspending several students from playing in Austin-East's game against Catholic High School on Friday evening," McIntyre said.

"Any relevant information that comes to light, of course, will be considered between now and Friday."

"While I'm not at liberty to identify any of the students, I will say that I personally informed the young men of this decision this afternoon."

Eight Austin-East football players were arrested and charged with felony theft of more than $500 and evading arrest.

Two of the eight are above the age of 18; the rest are juveniles.

Police and sheriff's deputies arrested a total of 33 people in the joint investigation.