Mascia: We'd Welcome Andrle Back if Parents Changed Minds

East Meadow High School Football Coach Vincent Mascia has denied allegations that Thorp Award winner Billy Andrle was thrown off the team due to injury.

According to an email to Patch from Mascia, [Andrle] "was cleared to play football, however Billy's parents indicated that they did not want him to play due to risk of further injury."

"If billy and his parents change their minds, the district would certainly welcome him back to the playing field," Mascia said.

He was a front-runner again for the same honor before he suffered a broken wrist during practice. Andrle said doctors told him playing this season would come with serious risks.

"If I could play tomorrow, I would," Andrle said. "But my mom doesn't want me to risk permanent injury and that makes sense."

Doctors were willing to put special padding on his wrist to help, but his parents were not comfortable with putting their son in harm's way.

"They were willing to build a player's cast to protect him," his mother Donna said. "But we weren't comfortable with that and there was no guarantee that he would not get hurt again."

When Andrle went to Mascia with his family's decision, that's when he claims he was told to clear out his locker.

"He told me to clean out my locker and don't come to practice anymore because you can find better things to do with your time," Andrle said. "I was crushed."

Andrle's Attorney Tom Liotti said he'd file a legal notice against East Meadow School officials. 

What do you think of Andrle's situation and Mascia's comments? Should he have been allowed to remain with the team? Tell us in the comments section below.