Incident in Texas HS Playoff Game

[TXMike]

Not sure how this disgusting display of misbehavior has managed to escape major attention. From the Allen-Trinity playoff game. Would not be surprised if the umpire pursued criminal charges.

SPORTSbyBROOKS HS FB Safety Blindsides Referee in Playoff Game

[umpirebob71]

I work the umpire position, and I definitely would press charges. That was clearly an assault.

[schmitty1973]

I wonder how the other officials reacted? I can't imagine being on that crew and having to keep my composer after something like that.

[GoodScout]

I agree with Umpirebob. I'd drag the little weasel into the criminal justice system for a while. I'm just shocked at this, and equally shocked that it hasn't gotten more media attention and condemnation.

What happened after the play? Did another member of the crew catch it? What were the ramifications, if any?

[JRutledge]

Honestly, I would not be surprised if the other officials did not see it or did not see the entire situation until they saw the tape. It happened so fast after the play, I could easily see fellow officials seeing the very end of the play.

What happen to the player in the game? It did not seem like the article talked about the results of the situation during the game. Was the official alright?

Peace

[waltjp]

Maybe I missed it, but was there a flag thrown on this play?

[bisonlj]

I can't imagine anyone saw anything during the play that would have resulted in anything at the time. No other official would be looking at that spot to see the whole thing happen. It's not unusual for an umpire to get hit by a linebacker so he probably didn't think anything of it at the time. On video though this guy didn't do a very good job disguising what he was doing. It would have been better for him had the play gone the other way but there is no way for him to plead "accident' based on what I saw.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by umpirebob71

I work the umpire position, and I definitely would press charges. That was clearly an assault.

Actually, it was clearly battery, a higher grade misdemeanor in most states. I hope the official was not seriously injured.

[BktBallRef]

I had a defender contact me this year, although it wasn't nearly as violent as this situation and I didn't come close to going down. But it made no sense that he would run into me based on the play. The BJ and I were both convinced it was intentional. I asked the defesnive coordinator which I have a pretty good relationship with to take a look at the film. He didn't feel it was intentional but at least we made him aware of it.

Does anyone know if any action has been taken against the player?

[waltjp]

Having worked as a U for many years I can say that it's entirely possible that the U had no idea what happened. You get battered around so often that it becomes a part of the game. If he wasn't told what happened by one of the other officials he probably didn't have a clue until he saw the video.

[BktBallRef]

I can't imagine that being the case, walt. Everybody on the field is going to the left when you're suddenly hit by a Mack truck moving in the opposite direction. Nope, I bet he had some realization of what happened.

[waltjp]

He may have suspected something was amiss but there's no way he'd know for sure without sensing something beforehand.

Just brings us back to my earlier question, did anyone throw a flag?

[BktBallRef]

I too would like to know the outcome. TXMike?

[TXMike]

It is not over yet Waiting for the U to decide what he will do although I hope his advisors let him know the longer he waits to file the case the less enthusiasm it will get from local law enforcement authorities.

[bigwhistle]

The play happened on the next to last play of the game. The player involved is on the team that was ranked number 1 in the country until they lost this game. The team roster says the player involved is a senior. This player had been complaining about being held the entire game.

None of this is important, but I am just providing some information after talking with the official involved. There was no flag on the play. The other officials were looking at their keys, and the incident happened almost immediately after the snap, with the flow going the opposite direction. Yesterday was the first time that the official involved had even seen the replay of the incident, as the crew had not yet received a copy of the game film. I believe that they are still in the information gathering mode right now, and the state body that governs high school athletics still is waiting for more documentation.