AHSAA, Coaches React to Hit on Referee

by WAKA Action 8 News

By now, you may have seen shocking video of two high school football players in Texas intentionally ramming into a referee during a game. 

Both of the athletes have since been kicked off the team and suspended from school..and there may be further legal punishment. But what would happen if something like that happened in Alabama?

This is the video that’s gone viral. 

Two high school football players in Texas intentionally spearing an official, knocking him to the ground. 

Those with the Alabama High School Athletic Association have reviewed the footage.

Director of Officials, Greg Brewer, says that hit would permit felony charges in Alabama. 

“In Alabama, we were one of the first 10 states to attempt to put together this bill for passage.”

In 2001, the Alabama legislature passed a bill that provides more protection for sports officials after an incident. 

“The harrassment and menacing went to a higher level misdemeanor,” Brewer said. “And all three of the first, second, and third degree assaults went from a lower felony to a higher felony which, the first degree was a class A felony.”

There are claims that the official made racial slurs on the field. But Carver High School head football coach Billy Gresham says there’s no excuse for the athletes behavior. 

“You go to a restaurant, you go out, anywhere out in the public, people are going to say things that are going to be offensive but there’s a right way to handle situations.”

At Carver, only the head coach is allowed to speak to officials. 

“No player, no assistant coach, nobody on our sideline. That’s our policy here and that helps avoid those situations.”

“I’ve heard of people targeting players but to target a referee is something that I’ve never heard of” said Reggie Barlow. 

Former Alabama State University head football coach Reggie Barlow has played football at every level and says even in the pros, that kind of hit is pretty shocking.

“The coaches that were, they said that they had bounties out on players. Those guys got suspended for an entire year, they paid a lot of money. Obviously there were no criminal charges. For me personally, I wouldn’t try to press charges or whatever but I think the guys should be put off the team. I think this needs to be a real lesson.”

There are also allegations that an assistant coach encouraged the players to tackle the referee.That coach has been put on administrative leave.