Dorsey Player Wins Appeal to City Section

Robert Beard, the Dorsey High football player facing a one-year suspension for his part in a fight after a game last year, won an appeal Tuesday that allows him to play in most of his team’s games this season.

Beard, an all-league outside linebacker, took part in a bench-clearing incident at the end of a City Section playoff game against Banning last December. He admitted to throwing a forearm at an unknown assailant who had a teammate in a chokehold.

Because much of the melee was captured on videotape, City Section officials identified those involved and punished four Dorsey players. No Banning player was punished.

Beard received the most severe penalty, a one-year suspension from all athletics. Because he would have been ineligible for football in most of his senior season, Beard appealed the decision.

He lost his first appeal in February, and CIF State Commissioner Thomas Byrnes refused to hear the case.

Tuesday, Dan Isaacs, assistant superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District, announced a modified punishment, allowing Beard to begin immediate practice with his team and be eligible for games on or after Oct. 7.