MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (AP) -- Sixteen East Tennessee high school football players have been suspended from school for bullying a teammate.

East High School Principal Gary Johnson says the students were in a weightlifting class for the football team Feb. 27 when they took turns punching a teammate on the arm.

Johnson says coaches stopped the students after they became aware what was happening.

The Morristown Citizen Tribune reports the students each were given a letter stating they would be banned from playing any sport at the school if cited for bullying again.

Johnson did not disclose the length of suspension.

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Information from: Citizen Tribune, http://www.citizentribune.com

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