UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Sevierville man was arrested Friday night at a football game at Unicoi County High School.

According to a press release from the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO), Brandon Cory Burns, 44, was arrested after allegedly initiating a fight and “striking at least two individuals following the game.”

Burns was identified by the sheriff’s office as a teacher and the parent of a player for Gatlinburg-Pittman, the visiting team.

Burns allegedly crossed the field and started assaulting a Unicoi County fan. The UCSO reports another person tried to break up the fight and was assaulted by Burns as well.

Burns was grabbed and pulled from the altercation by a Gatlinburg-Pittman player, the release states.

The sheriff’s office noted Burns was not an official for the sports department.

Burns was charged with assault, and he was later released on a $2,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Unicoi County General Sessions Court on Sept. 15.

“Tensions are high during sporting events and can turn to violence, especially whenever the game is called one way or the other by officials,” the sheriff’s office stated. “These situations can escalate quickly and get out of hand in the blink of an eye.”

Gatlinburg-Pittman ultimately won Friday’s matchup 21-20.

Unicoi County Chief Deputy Jonathan “Frank” Rogers stated Burns was arrested to prevent further violence at future events.

“The Sheriff’s Office took the arrest action because it is necessary to take such action to set the precedent that fighting or violence at sporting events cannot be tolerated,” Rogers said in the release. “It is our position that whoever starts the fight will always be arrested. In this case, deputies developed the probable cause to believe that the cause was initiated by Mr. Burns; therefore, he was arrested.”

Sevier County Schools provided a statement to News Channel 11 confirming that Burns is a school system employee who works elsewhere in the district. The school system said that while Burns was not at the game in any capacity as a system employee, he was suspended from work and banned from sporting events.

The school system’s entire statement can be read below:

“Administrators from Gatlinburg-Pittman High School were on-site for Friday night’s game at Unicoi County and assisted officials there in maintaining order following an altercation among fans. No students or staff members from either side were involved in the incident, and as such, no charges were levelled at any GPHS coaches or teachers. One Gatlinburg fan, however, was charged based on the altercation. District officials were made aware that evening that this individual, Mr. Brandon Burns, is a Sevier County Schools employee elsewhere in the district.  While Mr. Burns was not participating Friday evening in any capacity as a system employee, his actions were nevertheless cause for concern, and district administrators investigated and levied a suspension from work and ban from sporting events on Burns in a meeting on Monday. The Sevier County School System expects good sportsmanship of all of its staff members, parents, players, and students, and we are deeply grateful for the actions of administrators in Unicoi County Schools for their swift intervention and gracious assistance in this situation.”

Sevier County School System