Cliff Pinckard cleveland.com
The Patriot-News, Harrisburg, Pa.
EDINBURG, Texas — A high school football player attacked a referee Thursday night on the field moments after being ejected from the game in an incident that was recorded on video.
USA Today reports the senior defensive tackle for Edinburg High School, identified as Emmanuel Duron, was penalized for a late hit and unsportsmanlike conduct during the game against Pharr-San-Juan Alamo. In the video, Duron can be seen being led off the field by a coach as the referee, Fred Garcia, announces the penalties.
When Garcia announces the ejection, Duron rushes back onto the field as teammates and coaches chase him, crashing into Garcia and knocking him to the ground, The Monitor reports. Garcia did not return to officiating and was later evaluated for a possible concussion.
Meanwhile, Duron was escorted from the stadium by police, according to the Monitor. Edinburg police declined to provide additional information after the incident, The Monitor reports. The team’s coach also said he could not discuss the incident in detail.
“I can’t release any information on that and I apologize for that,” coach JJ Lejia tells The Monitor. “I hope you understand. I want this (moment) to be about our program and all the other kids we had on the field tonight.”
Edinburg did win the game, 35-21, to advance to the Class 6A Division I playoffs.
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