Report: School district suspends football players for targeting referee

The University Interscholastic League is investigating the incident.

The Northside Independent School District has suspended two San Antonio John Jay football players for targeting and tackling a referee, KENS5’s Sharon Ko reports.

Late in their game against Marble Falls (Tex.), two John Jay players appeared to blindside a defenseless referee, knocking him to the ground.

As the referee watches Marble Falls run a draw play, a John Jay safety charges him from seven yards away, lowering his right shoulder and knocking him to the turf.

As the safety breaks forward, another defensive back begins running at the official, driving his helmet into the referee’s back.

The Texas University Interscholastic League released the following statement on Sunday in response to the incident:

UIL statement concerning actions in San Antonio Jay football game: pic.twitter.com/QhPH8rskzc

— Texas UIL (@uiltexas) September 6, 2015

Both players were ejected from the game, and John Jay lost 15-9. The play occurred after two other John Jay players were ejected for separate infractions.

According to mySA, Northside ISD and the University Interscholastic League are investigating the incident.

From mySA:

Northside ISD athletic director Stan Laing said the video was “very disturbing.” Laing said the district is investigating the sequence of events leading up to the play, and the University Interscholastic League is aware of what happened. “The question of what instigated that is what we’re trying to figure out,” Laing said. Laing said the officiating chapter that oversees the Austin-based crew that worked the game is in the process of getting statements regarding the incident.

John Jay coach Gary Gutierrez apologized for the incident after the game, according to the report.

- Kenny Ducey