Texas high school football player suspended after attacking opponent during game

A Texas high school football player has been suspended indefinitely after body slamming and choking an opponent during a game.

Waco University and Burleson faced off last month, and the attack took place during a kickoff return. In the video below, a Waco player is seen throwing Burleson quarterback Jagger Gower before repeatedly slamming his head into the ground. Gower suffered a concussion and still hasn’t been cleared to play.

The Waco player who initiated the incident was ejected from the game and suspended for one half of the following game — The University Interscholastic League’s (UIL) minimum penalty for an ejection. It appeared that no additional punishment would be handed down, but the Waco School District stepped in and overruled the high school, suspending the player indefinitely, according to a CNN report.

From the Burleson Star:

Waco ISD Superintendent Marcus Nelson told the District Executive Committee Monday that he wanted to clearly communicate how disappointed and embarrassed his school district was for the poor judgment of the student-athlete in the game.

“On behalf of our board of trustees I just want to begin by emphatically stating that we do not condone the behavior that occurred during this game,” Nelson said. “I personally have spoken with (Burleson ISD Superintendent Dr. Bret Jimerson). My intent in reaching out to him was to contact the mother. We want to be clear that we share the frustration of seeing her precious child injured on behalf of the poor judgment of our student athlete. We are disappointed in the poor judgment of our student-athlete.”

“Between those games, there were additional consequences that were also imposed by our coaches,” Nelson said. “It involved physical punishments, extra running and several other activities that I’m hesitant to document more clearly because I believe our student at least has some right to a confidentially. As soon as I became aware of the incident I suspended the student-athlete from all extra-curricular activities until all further notice.”

The video led to national outrage over the incident, especially since the Waco player was not immediately kicked off the team. It’s also possible that the police could have investigated the incident as an assault. To this day, neither has taken place.

The Waco University High School has said it is taking additional action to punish the player, but school officials would not elaborate.

Read more from the Burleson Star.