GHSA lifts Brunswick (Ga.) playoff ban, majority of suspensions

Glynn County Schools assistant superintendent Steve Waters announced on Wednesday that the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) has lifted the Brunswick football program’s playoff ban for the 2026 season and also done away with a majority of the player suspensions handed down from the fight with Gainesville.

Back on Nov. 25, the GHSA had then announced the suspension of 41 Brunswick players, fining the school $5,000 and barred the Pirates from participating in the 2026 playoffs. That number grew to 44, but according to Waters’ announcement, 42 of the 44 players will see their suspensions lifted.

The lifting of the sanctions is a result of a meeting that took place today between the Glynn County School System and the Georgia High School Board of Trustees. Below is an excerpt from the statement provided by Waters regarding the lifting of the sanctions.

“As a result of the meeting, the Board of Trustees voted 11-1 to lift the post-season ban against Brunswick High School.  The players who were officially ejected in the game report will serve suspensions, but the suspensions for players not listed as ejected have been removed,” Waters said in the statement.

“As a result, 42 of the 44 players originally suspended will have their suspensions lifted.  Brunswick High School will pay a fine. Brunswick High School will continue to follow the Glynn County Code of Conduct and any additional disciplinary actions will be handled according to those established procedures. Our district holds student behavior and sportsmanship to a high standard, and that expectation has not changed.”

The sanctions stemmed from an altercation that happened back in November and occurred late in the third quarter of the playoff game between Brunswick and Gainesville, with viral video showing Pirates’ players instigating Red Elephants’ players, igniting an all out melee between the two teams.

The aftermath of the fight has seen the resignation of head coach Garrett Grady, who stepped down on Monday. Grady left the Pirates with an overall record of 36-10, qualifying Brunswick for the postseason each of his four years leading the program.

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