UPDATE: Former NFL star and Trump appointee Jack Brewer has made headlines by demanding the reinstatement of corporal punishment in schools to address rising youth crime in America. Speaking on Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime this week, Brewer stated, “We gotta get the paddle back,” emphasizing that discipline is necessary to combat what he described as “young criminals terrorizing our streets.”
This urgent call to action comes as President Donald Trump has announced plans to deploy the National Guard in response to increasing crime rates in Washington, D.C.. Brewer, who served on the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (CSSBMB), believes that reintroducing paddling in schools will help restore order and discipline.
“Schools have to start back disciplining kids,” Brewer argued during his appearance, where he expressed a belief that the removal of corporal punishment has led to a collapse in school discipline. Brewer noted that as of 2024, 17 states in the U.S. still allow corporal punishment in public schools, though it remains a contentious issue.
Brewer’s remarks have sparked intense debate, especially given that Black students are disproportionately impacted by corporal punishment, being four times more likely to face such discipline compared to their white peers. “Listen, corporal punishment is the only way,” Brewer asserted, pushing back against critics of the practice.
In a segment titled “Teens Run Wild in DC Streets,” Brewer took a controversial stance on youth crime, suggesting that violent behavior among young people could be mitigated through strict discipline and religious education. He highlighted the importance of instilling a “fear of God” in children and criticized what he sees as a lack of spirituality in today’s youth.
“We’ve let these liberals get so deep into removing God from schools,” Brewer stated, advocating for the return of religious teachings to restore order in society.
Brewer, who captained the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants during his five-year NFL career, has previously voiced similar sentiments. In 2022, he told Congress that violence would not decrease until schools reintegrated both “paddle and prayer.”
The former athlete’s comments have reignited discussions around educational policies, youth discipline, and the role of religion in schools. As communities grapple with rising crime rates, many are questioning the effectiveness of current disciplinary practices and the implications of Brewer’s proposals.
As this story develops, many are watching closely for responses from educational authorities, civil rights groups, and the White House. With the national conversation around crime and punishment heating up, Brewer’s controversial suggestions are sure to keep him in the spotlight.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned.
