JuCo Player Gets Arrested Mid Game For Punching A Ref In The Face And Knocking Him Out Cold
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NBC Los Angeles – A college football player punched a referee during a stoppage in play during a game Saturday night in Ventura, California, sending the unconscious referee crashing to the turf.
The visiting Mt. San Antonio College lineman, Bernard Schirmer, was arrested following the confrontation, accused of punching the unidentified side judge in the middle of the third quarter in a game against Ventura College, college police confirmed.
The referee was seen walking Schirmer back to his huddle during the game after breaking up an argument between players.
As the referee is seen ushering Schirmer along, he is punched and falls to the ground. Schirmer was immediately ejected from the game and arrested on suspicion of felony battery, according to Ventura County Community College District Police Department.
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Never understood referees who put themselves in harm’s way like this to break up a fight. I mean I get putting your hands up and saying hey guys cut it out for a few seconds, at least making an effort. But actually throwing yourself on a guy and trying to drag him away? Pushing and shoving a 200-300 pound gigantic freak athlete with unlimited testosterone and adrenaline running through his veins to keep him from going at it with another 200-300 pound gigantic freak athlete? Why? Who gives a fuck if they fight? If anything the game gets called and you get to go home early. Who cares about their job that much that they’d risk getting KTFO by a player?
So I’m not saying it’s the ref’s fault he got knocked unconscious, just saying, maybe it is a little bit.
Excellent spin zone by the school though.
The college said after reviewing video footage and interviewing those involved and outside witnesses, it maintains that Schirmer “unintentionally hit the referee.”
“Out of frustration, Mr. Schirmer struck himself on the helmet, a habit he often does to calm himself down … he inadvertently hit the referee and initially believed someone else had done so,” the statement reads.
Looking forward to seeing Bernie Schirmer on Last Chance U season 4.