This is not what you want to see when you tune in for a college football game.
In what appears to be a diffused situation between Ventura College and Mt. San Antonio, a referee is in a crowd of players trying to calm things down. That’s when one of them swings from nowhere and lays out the official. Take a look:
VIDEO: Mt. SAC lineman punches referee between plays at Ventura College (video by @SoCalCollegeSpo) @scfafootball pic.twitter.com/ZD4vejJRYp
— VCStar CollegeSports (@vcscolleges) September 11, 2016
Good lord. Hopefully that ref is okay, but he apparently didn’t stay in the game.
Referee who was punched was a side judge. Did not remain in game. Replaced by spotter. Punishment is ejection pending video review.
— VCStar CollegeSports (@vcscolleges) September 11, 2016
And, as you might suspect, it’s the sort of on-field incident that leads to off-field charges, including a surreal image of the police reviewing game tape.
Gives a new meaning to "under review" @VCAthletics @VCPirateFB @scfafootball @MtSAC_athletics pic.twitter.com/eovwo95CtS
— VCStar CollegeSports (@vcscolleges) September 11, 2016
Ventura College police taking statements from other members of officiating crew after the game. pic.twitter.com/TeFAI6FhcX
— VCStar CollegeSports (@vcscolleges) September 11, 2016
OL Bernard Schirmer has been arrested on suspicion of battery of a game official. Transferred to county jail, per Sgt. Mike Pallotto @vcstar
— VCStar CollegeSports (@vcscolleges) September 11, 2016
That’s the appropriate result, given what occurred on video. Again, hopefully the ref makes a full recovery.
