Texas Football Player Charged for Attacking Referee

The Texas high school football player who blindsided a referee during a play-in postseason contest last week was charged with assault for his actions.

Additionally, his team lost its spot in the playoffs, according to a report from FOX4News.com, despite winning the game.

Edinburg High School senior defensive lineman Emmanuel Duron was flagged in the first half for a late hit on the opposing team’s quarterback, penalized once again for unsportsmanlike conduct, and ultimately ejected from the game.

Shortly thereafter, Duron ran on to the field and rushed towards the referee who ejected him and tackled him from behind. The action was caught on camera and was virally spread across the internet and social media.

According to FOX4News.com, the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District issued a statement late last week stating it was investigating the incident and still deciding how Duron will be disciplined.

“The district has decided to remove the Edinburg High School football team from the playoffs after an unexpected incident involving a student that occurred during a football game on December 3, 2020,” Edinburg CISD said in a statement.

In another report from The Monitor, Duron posted a $10,000 bond to be released from jail. The referee, according to The Monitor, is named Fred Gracia, who is a 27-year veteran referee with the Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO). The report went on to add he was evaluated in an on-site ambulance for concussion symptoms and a shoulder injury.

The TASO also released a statement saying it too has begun an investigation into the incident.

“On the evening of December 3, 2020, another vicious and deliberate assault was inflicted on a TASO Football Official by a player who had just be ejected from the contest. Unfortunately, this type of blind-sided assault on an official while working on the field is not new to Texas Football,” the TASO group said in the issued press release.

To read the full report from FOX4News.com on the ongoing situation involving the Texas football player and the referee, click here.