WINTER PARK, US — Nevada Pierre, a 3-year-old whose family’s dispute with a Florida youth soccer program brought police to the field, has received a training offer from former US international Eddie Johnson, while Roc Nation Sports is reportedly arranging an opportunity for him to visit Spain.
Johnson has offered to work with Nevada through his Orlando-based EJE7 Soccer Academy. Separately, The Breakfast Club correspondent Loren LoRosa reported Oct. 28 that Jay-Z and Roc Nation had committed to sending the youngster to Spain in December for an athletic experience.
The developments follow an Oct. 24 incident at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Winter Park, near Orlando, where a disagreement between league officials and Nevada’s parents during a youth soccer game prompted a police response.
His parents say their son was unfairly sidelined because he was more advanced than other children. The youth sports organization, i9 Sports, says police were called over an alleged disturbance involving adults, rather than the child’s performance.
Winter Park police said the family cooperated with officers and that the disagreement was a civil matter. Nobody was arrested, issued a trespass warning or forced to leave the park.
Parents and league give different accounts
Videos shared by the family show Nevada dribbling past other children and scoring goals. His mother, Martasia Griffin, told ABC News that he was playing against children as old as 5.
Griffin said she challenged decisions to sideline her son after concerns were raised about other children getting opportunities to participate. She maintained that Nevada also deserved a chance to play.
The league official offered a different account in police body-camera footage described by local and national news organizations. He acknowledged Nevada’s advanced ability but alleged that the youngster had pushed other players and that disagreements with his parents developed over efforts to address his conduct and rotate players.
In the released 911 call, the official accused a parent of following him, calling him names and livestreaming their interaction.
Griffin disputed the characterization of the family’s behavior. She told Orlando television station WKMG that she and Nevada’s father, Don Pierre, stood apart from other families and were not arguing with other parents.
She said she approached the official to ask why Nevada could not play more after hearing concerns about pushing.
In a statement provided to ESPN, i9 Sports said it had reviewed witness accounts and police materials. The organization said an official contacted police to help de-escalate an alleged disturbance between adults.
It also said it did not have video of the confrontation itself and would not characterize the family beyond what had been reported to police.
The organization’s published recreational sports guidelines emphasize equal playing time regardless of talent, safe participation and sportsmanship. Its approach prioritizes enjoyment and development over the score.
Police describe the response as a civil matter
The Winter Park Police Department’s Oct. 26 statement said a soccer league official requested assistance with a disturbance involving league officials and a player’s parents.
The department said the league requested that the family leave and offered to refund its participation costs. After officers arrived, the official asked them to communicate with the parents because he did not want to prolong the disagreement.
The family told officers the game was over and they were leaving. Police described the parents as cooperative and provided an incident number at their request.
The department said the incident was civil rather than criminal and that officers did not arrest anyone, issue a trespass warning or force anyone to leave the park.
New opportunities for Nevada Pierre
Johnson’s training offer would give Nevada an opportunity to develop his skills outside the recreational program involved in the dispute.
The former US men’s national team striker has publicly criticized barriers he believes young players of color face in American soccer. Responding to Nevada’s experience, Johnson said children’s abilities should be encouraged and described his academy as a place that supports freedom and creativity.
Griffin confirmed to WKMG that Johnson had contacted the family and offered to help train her son. She said the sudden attention had been unexpected and expressed concern about how the police response affected Nevada.
“It traumatized him, like he’s scared,” she told the station, describing her concern that he now feared being excluded again if he played hard.
The reported Spain trip represents a separate potential opportunity. According to LoRosa’s report, Roc Nation plans to use its overseas sports connections to create an athletic experience for Nevada in December. His parents had previously discussed taking him to Spain to support his interest in soccer.
The report did not identify a Spanish club or establish a professional contract, an academy placement or a permanent relocation. Specific training arrangements and an itinerary were not detailed.
The family has also launched a fundraiser intended to help cover registration, training, equipment, uniforms and travel as Nevada continues playing soccer.
Griffin told WKMG that her immediate priority was helping her son feel comfortable playing again while the family considers what comes next.
