SAYREVILLE — A hazing incident that "went too far" is at the center of the investigation into the Sayreville War Memorial High School football team, multiple sources told NJ Advance Media.

The sources, which include parents in the school community, students and others connected to the football program, all spoke on the condition of anonymity because they did not want to be identified.

At an afternoon press conference, Superintendent Richard Labbe carefully avoided the word "hazing," calling it "inappropriate conduct at a significant and serious nature" in the football program. The administrator declined to give further details in a press conference that lasted about 30 minutes and included questions from parents.

By cancelling all levels of football games this week, the district was acting with the “utmost consideration of the safety and welfare of the students on that football team," the superintendent added. Labbe would not say if the football schedule would resume next week.

"I cannot go into specifics with anyone," Labbe added, at one point.

A parent of a Sayreville player said the boy knew "what’s going on" and that "there was a little hazing incident that went on ... and they got carried away."

The parent also said some of the players had spoken to the police to "answer some questions about what was going on."

Michelle Brennan, the mother of a member of the marching band, said the rumors "break her heart."

"Sayreville is all about football – it’s really shocking,” she said.

VIDEO OF SAYREVILLE PRESS CONFERENCE

Seth Augenstein, Sue Epstein and Tom Haydon of NJ Advance Media contributed to this report.