the Worcester cowboy head coach has just been fired and arrested after a clear evidence that.
Worcester Cowboys Head Coach Fired and Arrested Following Shocking Revelations.
*By Dana Elwood | May 14, 2025 | Worcester Tribune Sports Desk*
The Worcester Cowboys have been rocked by scandal this week after their head coach, Travis “Tex” Dalton, was not only fired from his position but also arrested by local authorities following the emergence of clear and damning evidence implicating him in a wide-ranging criminal investigation.
Dalton, 48, had been at the helm of the Cowboys for just over three seasons, and under his leadership, the team had clawed its way back into contention in the Eastern Football League. But late Monday evening, that career came to a dramatic end as Worcester Police confirmed that Dalton was taken into custody on charges ranging from obstruction of justice to conspiracy and financial misconduct tied to illegal gambling operations.
**A Sudden Turn of Events**
The news broke late Sunday night when sources close to the organization hinted that Dalton had been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Within 24 hours, however, the scope and severity of the situation became clear. Authorities raided Dalton’s Northbridge residence, seizing documents, electronic devices, and financial records, all of which allegedly tied him to a broader network involved in fixing games and profiting from illegal sports betting rings.
Detective Lieutenant Sandra Perez of the Worcester Police Department held a press conference early Tuesday morning, stating that Dalton had “played an active and willful role in manipulating the outcomes of several games, using his position to influence key plays and lineups in exchange for financial gains from illicit betting organizations.”
“The evidence we have is clear and conclusive,” said Perez. “We are looking at communications, bank transfers, and even surveillance that show Mr. Dalton colluding with known figures under federal investigation for racketeering and fraud.”
**Team Ownership Responds**
The Worcester Cowboys organization issued a brief but pointed statement late Tuesday:
*”Effective immediately, Travis Dalton has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach of the Worcester Cowboys. The organization is fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities. We hold our staff to the highest standards of integrity and sportsmanship, and we are shocked and disheartened by the revelations made public.”*
Team owner Meredith Cavanaugh, who acquired the franchise in 2020 and has overseen a comprehensive rebuild both on and off the field, appeared visibly shaken during a short media appearance.
“This is not what the Cowboys stand for,” she said. “This betrayal runs deep. Our players, our fans, and this community deserve honesty and commitment, not corruption.”
**Impact on the Team and League**
The fallout is already rippling through the Eastern Football League. League Commissioner Harold Greene confirmed in a press release that the EFL is launching a full internal review to determine whether any games were compromised under Dalton’s leadership and whether other individuals within the Cowboys organization were involved or aware of the misconduct.
“Integrity in sport is non-negotiable,” Greene stated. “Any actions that cast doubt on the authenticity of our games will be addressed with the utmost seriousness.”
Players within the Cowboys locker room, many of whom considered Dalton a demanding but respected figure, responded with a mixture of shock and anger.
“We feel blindsided,” said team captain and linebacker Jalen Woods. “You think you know a guy, especially someone who’s supposed to lead you, guide you. To find out he was throwing games, it’s like getting punched in the gut.”
Others expressed concern over the team’s immediate future. With Dalton gone and no interim head coach yet announced, the Cowboys face a leadership vacuum just weeks before preseason training is set to begin.
**A Deeper Pattern?**
While Dalton’s arrest was the most public, law enforcement sources suggest he may not be the only one facing charges. According to court documents unsealed Tuesday, Dalton maintained regular contact with a known gambling syndicate based in Rhode Island and was allegedly instrumental in providing inside information—including injury reports, play-calling strategies, and locker-room dynamics.
“There may be a broader pattern of corruption here,” said University of Massachusetts criminal justice professor Dr. Elaine Fischer. “This isn’t just a rogue coach taking bets on the side. This looks organized, deliberate, and possibly networked with other teams or leagues.”
**What’s Next**
Dalton remains in police custody as of this writing and is expected to appear in court for arraignment later this week. If convicted of the full array of charges, he could face up to 25 years in prison.
In the meantime, the Cowboys organization must regroup quickly. With only 10 weeks until opening day and a fan base stunned by the scandal, the path forward looks steep and uncertain.
Yet amidst the chaos, some in the Worcester community are calling for transparency and reform, hoping the scandal can ultimately lead to a stronger, cleaner culture within the sport.
“This city loves its team,” said longtime fan Melanie Ruiz outside Cowboys Stadium. “We’ll heal. But we need truth, accountability, and a promise that this never happens again.
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