Shocking moment a Texas high school football player charges and SLAMS an unsuspecting referee after being ejected for a late hit
A Texas high school football player has been arrested for assault after charging onto the field and leveling an official on Thursday following his ejection from the game.
Edinburg High School senior defensive lineman Emmanuel Duron, 18, was charged with assault causing bodily injury. A judge set his bond at $10,000.
On Thursday, Duron was disqualified for multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against Pharr-San Juan-Alamo. The 5-foot-11, 225-pound senior responded by running in from the sideline and slamming into the unsuspecting referee.
The victim, who was later identified as 59-year-old official Fred Gracia, was examined for a concussion on the field and walked off without any help.
The incident took place in the first half of Edinburg's 35-21 postseason victory. But despite the win, school officials decided to end the team's season, regardless.
Referee Fred Gracia falls to the turf after being charged by Edinburg's Emmanuel Duron
Edinburg's Emmanuel Duron is escorted out of the stadium by police after charging a referee during a high school football zone play-in game against Pharr-San Juan-Alamo on Thursday
The scene played out Thursday night in Edinburg, Texas after Duron was ejected and responded by charging onto the field to attack an unsuspecting Fred Gracia
'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,' the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District announced Friday. '
'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 the viral footage from the game, Duron, wearing No. 88, is first seen being walked off the field by coaches after being whistled for a late hit on the opposing quarterback.
Immediately following his ejection, Duron sprinted back on to the field without his helmet and launched himself into the official, who had only a moment to brace for impact.
'We got a personal foul, late hit on the quarterback, No. 88, defense,' said Gracia.
The referee continued: 'We got an unsportsmanlike conduct. No. 88 on the defense has been disqualified.'
Teammates and coaches swarmed Duron, circling the upperclassmen and urging him off the field. As Pharr-San Juan-Alamo players began to pursue Duron, his Edinburg teammates and a few coaches stepped in before a bad situation could get any worse
Edinburg's Emmanuel Duron is pulled from the field by the team's coaching staff
Teammates and coaches swarmed Duron, circling the upperclassmen and urging him off the field. As Pharr-San Juan-Alamo players began to pursue Duron, his Edinburg teammates and a few coaches stepped in before a bad situation could get any worse.
Duron was then escorted from the stadium by police.
The Monitor of McAllen reported that Gracia was evaluated for a concussion by medical personnel at the stadium. He walked off the field under his own power.
The game resumed after a delay, with Edinburg winning 35-21.
The District 31-6A Defensive Player of the Year last season, Duron also is the Bobcats' kicker, punter and a star wrestler.
Edinburg's Emmanuel Duron, left, is held back by teammate Anthony Cardona after Duron charged a referee during a high school football zone play-in game on Thursday in Texas
Feferee Fred Gracia was evaluated for a concussion by school medical staff on the field