‘This is what needs to happen’ | Kids required to bring an adult to get into DC high school football games under new restrictions

WASHINGTON — After a stabbing outside a high school football game and recent fights, new security measures are officially in effect, including mandatory adult supervision.

The biggest immediate change, minors will no longer be allowed to attend games without an accompanying adult. The policy applies to all games played on DC Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter school campuses and will remain in effect for the entire 2025 football season.

RELATED: Fights among crowds prompt increased security at DC high school football games

The decision follows a violent altercation that unfolded outside a game between Archbishop Carroll and Friendship Collegiate High schools last Saturday. Sirens could be heard blaring in the background of the stream of the game, as first responders rushed to the scene.

“We had a stabbing, and that’s the kind of thing that we do not want to happen at our games, which is why we have the protocols in place,” said DC Police Chief Pamela Smith in an exclusive interview at Friday’s game between Archbishop Carroll and Bell at Cordozo High School in Northwest DC.

Smith acknowledged recent concerns over behavior at school events.

“We know that over the last couple of weekends we’ve seen some behavior that we have just not been satisfied with,” she said. “This is an opportunity for us to ensure that when families come out, the kids can have a great time playing football.”

Many of the parents in attendance at Friday’s game said they were also present during last weekend’s incident.

“I was terrified that my son was there and that that was happening at the game,” said Tamika Kelly, a parent.

She welcomed the new safety protocols.

“This is what needs to happen if kids are going to act that way,” said Kelly.

“As far as like the parents coming to support the kids, if they want the kids to come, then support them and come with them,” added parent Bryce Nunn.

However, not everyone is on board. Several students voiced frustration over the new rules, saying not all of them have a parent available to attend.

“We came here and we have to sit outside and wait for an adult,” one student said. “Not everybody can have a parent come to a game, so y’all just ruined the games for everybody.”

“We just wanna watch the game. It’s after school, we with our friends, we wanna socialize,” another student said. “They stopping us from doing a lot, like, dang.”

In addition to DC Police officers, federal law enforcement was also spotted monitoring the game from above. Chief Smith confirmed the presence and said coordination with federal partners will continue.

“I think I’m here. I’m the chief of police,” Smith said. “It’s certainly my job to make sure that our police officers are in places and spaces where we have large gatherings. We work with our federal partners, and we’ll continue to work with them throughout this process.”

We asked Chief Smith if people should continue to expect to see federal law enforcement at high school football games. 

“As they see the Metropolitan Police Department, absolutely,” she responded.

In a letter sent by DCPS Deputy Chancellor Drewana Bey assured families that the new rules were preventive: 

“These adjustments are being introduced to help reduce and prevent conflicts, and we will monitor their effectiveness closely. Our hope is that these changes will be temporary, and we commit to reevaluating later in the season with the goal of maintaining safety and our football traditions.”

The District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA) will implement the following:

• Students must be accompanied by an adult. For each adult, no more than three students will be admitted into the game.
• There will be no entry after the third quarter ends.
• Spectators will not be allowed to re-enter once they leave the stadium or field.
• Concession sales will end at the end of the third quarter.
• Schools will attempt to reschedule games to start earlier for the next month. Usually, games start around 6 and 7 p.m., but those will be adjusted to around 4 and 5 p.m. 
• Some schools may reschedule Friday games to Thursdays and Saturdays.
• Spectators from home and away teams will be separated by assigned sections and if possible, there will be empty space between the groups. 

Although these rules are being called “temporary”, the DCSAA says adult supervision of minors in attendance will be in place throughout the entire 2025 season.