Two Texas high school football players who are accused of intentionally slamming a referee to the ground allege the ref directed racial slurs at them, school district officials said Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.
Northside Independent School District Superintendent Brian T. Woods said an assistant coach has been put on paid leave while the district investigates allegations he suggested there should be retaliation against the referee for missed calls.
The two suspended John Jay High School students, whose names aren't being released, will go through a disciplinary hearing and the incident is being treated as an assault on a school official, according to the school district.
"The incident is shameful and in no way reflects who Northside ISD and Jay High School are," Woods said.
Woods added the district is in the process of filing a complaint about the racial slur allegation with the Texas Association of Sports Officials. The referee's name has not been made public.
A video from Friday's game between John Jay High School and Marble Falls High School shows the ref watching a play, and his head snapping back when he is leveled from behind. The other player then dove on top of him.
Woods said if a racial slur was directed at the two players, the protocol should have been to inform the lead official about it.
"We're obligated to use this as a teachable moment ... As educators, we've got to take this opportunity to teach our young people two wrongs don't make a right," Northside school district athletic director Stan Laing said.