South Texas High School Football Player Apologizes For Attacking Referee

The high school football player who made national headlines for tackling a referee gave a short apology for his actions on Monday.

“I’d like to say that I’m sorry for what happened to my coaches, my family and to the UIL,” 18-year-old Emmanuel Duron said during a video call with the University Interscholastic League, which governs public high school sports in Texas.

On December 3, referee Fred Garcia ejected Duron from an Edinburg High School football game for unsportsmanlike conduct. Unhappy with the call, the senior linebacker blindsided Garcia, who was unable to get up for several minutes and had to be evaluated for a concussion and other injuries.

School district police had to escort Duron out of the building after the incident.

The UIL effectively ended Duron's high school athletic career on Monday by banning the senior from all high school sports for the rest of the school year. The league also placed Edinburg football coach JJ Leija on probation for a year and the school's athletic department on probation for two years.

Shortly after the on-the-field incident, the school district removed Edinburg High School from the football playoffs. Edinburg High suspended Duron from school for three days, suspended him from all extra curricular activities, and mandated that he attend weekly counseling sessions, The Monitor reported.

There is also a misdemeanor assault charge pending against Duron.

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