Runner who smacked reporter’s butt on live TV is a Christian youth leader

It was an unsolicited slap on the rear-end heard ’round the world. This Saturday, WSAV-TV reporter Alex Bozarjian was covering a Savannah 10K race when a runner came up behind her during a live shot and smacked her on the behind. The look of shock on her face said it all, and soon enough the runner was identified as Tommy Callaway, who was subsequently banned from participating in future Savannah Sports Council races. Bozarjian has also since filed a police report.

“He took my power, and I’m trying to take that back,” Bozarjian said Tuesday on CBS This Morning, adding, “I think what it really comes down to is that he helped himself to a part of my body.”

In a statement, Callaway’s lawyer said: “While we regret the situation, Mr. Callaway did not act with any criminal intentions. Tommy is a loving husband and father who is very active in his community.”

When it comes to activities in his community, one of them involves being a leader in his local Christian youth group.

From Heavy.com:

Tommy Callaway is a youth group leader at his church, Pittman Park UMC, according to his Facebook page. He posted a February 2017 photo on Facebook on the church’s page and wrote, “The confirmands with Pastor Bill at Historic Union United Methodist Church in rural Bulloch County. Sharing a prayer and learning the history of the United Methodist churches in our area.”

In August, he posted a photo from a youth ministry meeting and wrote, “Great things happening tonight at youth. If you are sixth grade and above we missed you and hope to see you next week.”

According to his Linkedin profile, Callaway has also been a Scout Leader for Boy Scouts of America since 1987.

[Friendly Atheist]

The title and body of this article has been updated to note that Callaway was a “leader” in his local Christian youth group, not a “minister.”

Featured image via screenshot/Facebook

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.