The Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District announced that they are removing their football team from the UIL State Playoffs following the incident in which defensive lineman Emmanuel Duron assaulted referee Fred Gracia after Garcia ejected Duron for two consecutive unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Duron was the District 31-6A Defensive Player of the Year last season and was the team’s kicker and punter.
The district released this statement:
“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.” 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.”
The Texas Association of Sports Officials also announced that they have begun their own investigation.
Here is the video of the incident of Duron knocking down the official.
