Title: (black) Linden football player rips helmet from (white) opponent and bashes his head with it Source:
NJ.com URL Source:http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news ... onent-in-head-with-own-helmet/ Published:Sep 15, 2015 Author:Chris Ryan Post Date:2015-09-17 08:15:34 by Deckard Keywords:None Views:955 Comments:3
During a Friday night game on Sept. 11, a Linden defensive lineman pulled the helmet off of an Immaculata offensive lineman while taking him to the ground during the course of the play. The Linden defender then proceeded to swing the helmet, hitting the Immaculata player in the top of the head before releasing the helmet and letting it fly several yards across the field.
The identity of the Linden player has not be confirmed.
Immaculata Athletic Director Tom Gambino said the two schools have continued to work on resolving the matter, and the two even played their scheduled JV football game on Monday.
"When I saw the video, I contacted the NJSIAA and Steve Yesinko, the Linden athletic director," Gambino said. "And I just wanted to say that the Athletic director and coach have been very cooperative, very apologetic. We've been in touch the whole time, and their first concern was how our kid was doing, and he is doing fine."
The Immaculata player avoided any major injuries, but he did require 10 stitches after the game when he was taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital from the game.
"When you look our kid, he just stands up and puts his hands up. Doesn't want to get a penalty, doesn't want to do anything to hurt the team," Gambino said. "Just really a high road, quality kid. It makes you gasp when you see it."
The Linden player was flagged for a personal foul on the play, but not ejected.
Gambino said Immaculata has also sent the video to the Linden Police Department and the Mid-State 38, along with the NJSIAA. The school has not heard anything back on the matter.
Linden police Capt. James Sarnicki confirmed that police are reviewing the incident.
"The incident did occur and it is under investigation by the Juvenile Bureau," Sarnicki said. "If criminal charges are filed, more details will be released."
Yesinko declined to comment further on the investigation, deferring to the press release that Linden issued on Tuesday.
"The Linden Public School District is aware of the incident that occurred during the Varsity Football Game vs. Immaculata on Friday, September 11, 2015," Linden Superintendent Danny Robertozzi said in a press release Tuesday. "An investigation by administration is taking place and disciplinary consequences will be issued accordingly. Due to student confidentiality, no further comments will be released.
"The Linden Public School District is taking this very seriously and by no means is this incident a reflection of our school community or athletic teams."
