Texas Football Player Tackles Referee

A Texas high school football player tackled an official from behind following his ejection from the game, according to viral videos shared from social media Thursday night.

The player in question, Emmanuel Duron, a defensive lineman from Edinburg High School in South Texas, was ejected for a late hit and unsportsmanlike penalty against a player on the opposing team prior to tackling the referee, according to a report from The Monitor.

pic.twitter.com/2vdrVVGQEJ

— Santiago Peña III (@_7santiago) December 4, 2020

The referee, Fred Garcia, was reportedly being monitored for concussion-like symptoms but did leave the field under his own power.

According to The Monitor, Duron and Garcia exchanged words after the play was over, and Garcia ejected Duron from the contest after back-to-back unsportsmanlike penalties on the same play.

Insane situation at a high school football game in Edinburg, Texas. A player gets ejected and then storms the field and lays out the ref. I have no words. pic.twitter.com/PbiFYqOes0

— Regulators Podcast  (@RegulatorsPod) December 4, 2020

Duron was escorted from the stadium by police after the hit took place. He was named The Monitor’s All-Area Boys Wrestler of the Year in early 2020. He finished the season with a 44-8 record, going 4-2 at the state tournament, the outlet reported.

Both JJ Leija, Edinburg’s head coach, and local police declined to comment to The Monitor.

Video of the incident spread like wildfire across the internet and local news stations alike. Andrew McCulloch, the author of The Monitor report, described the scene.

Referee has gotten up and is walking around under his own power

Hard to see Duron, a senior, playing another game for the Bobcats — win or lose — after that incident #RGVFootball #txhsfb

Almost set to resume play after a lengthy delay

— Andrew McCulloch (@ByAndyMcCulloch) December 4, 2020

To read the full story from The Monitor, click here.