12/21/24
September 06, 2015
2 High School Players Intentionally Hit Referee: Two high school players in San Antonio, Texas, intentionally slammed into a referee during a play as the clock was running down Friday night. After a controversial call that enabled Marble Falls to run out the clock on a 15-9 victory, two Jay defensive backs struck the official -- one from behind and the other while he was down on the ground. Both players were ejected.
Both players were ejected. Northside ISD athletic director Stan Laing said the video was "very disturbing." Laing said the district is investigating the sequence of events leading up to the play, and the UIL is aware of what happened. "The question of what instigated that is what we're trying to figure out," Laing said.
Who cares?
I mean, could there possibly be ANY mitigating circumstances that would allow for that cowardly attack on a defenseless official?
posted by grum@work at 08:28 PM on September 06, 2015
Well... I care, I literally wrote that right above. It doesn't matter, but it would be interesting to see if these kids were teed off about a total miscall, or some thing questionable at worst. Plus, the preceding play might show clues of the planning, and whether the coach or other players were involved. On reddit, someone linked a fast-pitch softball clip in which not only does the pitcher throw it right at the umps mask, the catcher intentionally leaps out of the way, and the entire infield- as well as the manager- met on the mound right beforehand. It was so obviously intentional, and orchestrated by the manager, they called the game then and there.
posted by hincandenza at 10:06 PM on September 06, 2015
According to the article, and a similar one in Yahoo, two other players were ejected in separate players, which allowed the opposing team a first down late in the game that sealed the win, letting them just take snaps to wind the clock down. That's probably when these two smarty pants decided to send their message.
posted by NerfballPro at 10:43 PM on September 06, 2015
Even if the coach didn't have anything to do with this, it's a reflection of how he's running the team.
Those players are done with football, surely. A criminal assault charge seems like the proper response.
posted by rcade at 10:50 AM on September 07, 2015
Even if the coach didn't have anything to do with this, it's a reflection of how he's running the team.
And probably one incident away from having the team shut down for the season, too. I know if I were a coach in the same league I'd be concerned for my players' safety after this, if my team is on John Jay's schedule.
Coach Gutierrez has a serious shitstorm brewing he won't have any control over.
posted by NerfballPro at 01:44 PM on September 07, 2015
The official is considering pressing charges.
posted by Etrigan at 09:35 AM on September 08, 2015
He probably should. Though at this point, with them off the game and suspended from school, he might feel like it would be piling on.
posted by rcade at 12:50 PM on September 08, 2015
And now the kids are saying the official used a racial slur, and that an assistant coach egged them on before they hit him.
posted by Etrigan at 03:25 PM on September 08, 2015
Assistant coach admits to telling players to take ref out, and "[s]everal players and a sideline source" have said that the ref was using slurs.
posted by Etrigan at 01:56 PM on September 23, 2015
I saw this when it was going around reddit yesterday, it's pretty appaling. Happily at least, it sounds like the schools and related organizations are reacting quickly and appropriately.
One question I've had, just out of curiousity: I can't find a clear description in an article, much less video, of the preceding play. Not that it would justify the action, but I'd be interested in seeing what these players were so incensed about.