Earlier this week, viewers and social media users were left "disgusted" by a video showing a high school football player tackling a referee.
According to a report by news.com.au, the incident in question occurred at a game on Thursday night (December 3) between the two Texan teams, Edinburg High School Bobcats and Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High Bears.
Despite Edinburg securing a 35-21 win to make the playoffs, the victory was overshadowed when Edinburg senior defensive lineman Emmanuel Duron ran onto the field and put a massive hit on a referee.
Take a look at this footage of the incident recorded at the game:Senior Duron (Edinburg's district defensive player of the year and the team’s kicker and punter) tackled the referee after the official announced that Duron had been disqualified.
Duron had attempted to make a tackle on PSJA High freshman quarterback Jaime Lopez after the whistle had blown.
As reported by the New York Post, 58-year-old referee Fred Gracia had to be treated for concussion symptoms by paramedics, and Duron was forcibly restrained by coaches and teammates before being escorted from the field of play by police officers.
Suffice it to say, when footage of the incident was shared on social media, Duron was widely condemned by sports fans.
For instance, one Twitter user wrote: "Wow just wow. This is from a HIGH SCHOOL football game?! I’m disgusted. [sic]"
Meanwhile, someone else added: "I have never seen anything like this happen while covering high school or professional sports in 20 years. wow! [sic]"
In a later statement made to The Monitor, Edinburg High head football coach JJ Lejia declined to comment on the incident directly, stating:
"I hope you understand. I want this (moment) to be about our program and all the other kids we had on the field tonight.
"Defensively, we had some breakdowns but we have a young secondary. We can’t use that as an excuse because we’re already this deep into the season."
But despite the team's victory, this will be the last time fans will see them on the field for the season, as the school's district announced on Friday that they have chosen to remove Edinburg High from the playoffs.
Per CBS4 in Texas, a statement from the Edinburg CISD read: "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.
"We extend a sincere apology to the referee and his family. On behalf of the Edinburg CISD Board of Trustees and administration, we apologize to the athletes, staff, and our school community.
"We will take the appropriate disciplinary action once we understand the facts and circumstances underlining this incident. The district takes these matters very seriously; however, we cannot comment further on a pending investigation."
In addition, news.com.au have since reported that after being escorted off the field by police officers, Duron was later charged with assault and held in jail on a $10,000 bond.
