From The Tribune staff reports
EDINBURG, Texas – A Texas high school football player went viral on Thursday night for the wrong reasons.
Emmanuel Duron, a senior defensive lineman at Edinburg High School, was ejected in the second quarter of a game against Pharr-San-Juan Alamo for a late hit and unsportsmanlike penalty. Duron did not take the news well, as he sprinted back out onto the field and struck the official, knocking him to the turf.
The senior defensive tackle was escorted out of the stadium by police.
According to reports, the official, 58-year-old Fred Garcia, was taken to an ambulance where he was evaluated for concussion symptoms. He did not return to the game.
On Friday, the Edinburg CISD released a statement, which explained the decision to remove the Edinburg football team from the playoffs.
“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 statement read. “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.”
According to local media, Duron, 18, has been charged with class A assault. His bond has been set at $10,000.