BREAKING: Former NFL star and Trump appointee Jack Brewer has sparked outrage by calling for the return of corporal punishment in schools to combat crime among youth. During a live appearance on Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime on Wednesday, Brewer stated that schools must reinstate physical discipline, declaring, “We gotta get the paddle back.”
This controversial demand follows President Trump’s recent decision to deploy the National Guard to address escalating crime in Washington D.C.. Brewer, who previously served on the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, believes that reintroducing paddling is essential to curb what he described as “young criminals terrorizing our streets.”
As of 2024, the National Education Association reports that 17 states still allow corporal punishment in public schools, despite widespread opposition. Black students are disproportionately affected, facing this type of discipline at four times the rate of their white peers. Brewer, who identifies as Black, asserted, “Listen, corporal punishment is the only way.”
Brewer’s statements come amid rising tensions about youth violence in America. He contends that the absence of corporal punishment has led to disorder in schools. “They took the paddle out of the school and everything collapsed,” he claimed.
In addition to advocating for paddling, Brewer called for a “religious reboot” in schools, arguing that the removal of spirituality has contributed to the current crises. “None of these kids go to church on Sunday morning. They don’t have a fear of God,” he stated emphatically. Brewer has previously linked the rise in gun violence to the lack of discipline and religious teachings in education.
The former athlete, who played for teams including the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants, urged that communities must take action against violence. He controversially suggested that individuals should be ready to protect themselves, saying, “If you carjack me, I’m liable to shoot you no matter what your age is.”
His remarks have drawn significant criticism and concern from educators and civil rights advocates. Many believe that reintroducing corporal punishment could exacerbate issues of inequality and trauma in schools, particularly for marginalized communities.
Brewer’s history of advocating for “paddle and prayer” stretches back to 2020, when he first called for these measures to Congress. His recent comments have reignited debates across the nation regarding discipline in schools and the role of education in addressing youth violence.
As this story develops, many are questioning the implications of Brewer’s statements for educational policy and community safety moving forward. The potential reinstatement of corporal punishment raises urgent questions about the balance between discipline and human rights in American schools.
Sources have not yet responded to requests for comments from the White House or the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys regarding Brewer’s incendiary remarks.
Stay tuned as more updates unfold. This situation is rapidly evolving, and its impact on American education and youth safety remains to be seen.
