After he was arrested for suspicion of assaulting a referee, a Mount San Antonio College football player is apologizing and claiming he never meant to hit the official.
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The official, whose name has yet to be released, was struck while walking Mount San Antonio College’s offensive lineman Bernard Schirmer back to his huddle in the middle of the third quarter. He regained consciousness but did not finish the game, according to the County Star.
Mt. San Antonio College hasn’t released a statement, but a response was posted on social media Sunday morning using Mt. SAC Football’s twitter account, suggesting the punch was unintentional and claiming the referee punched was not pressing charges.
Schirmer’s father, Craig Schirmer, said his son would maintain his innocence if the case proceeds in court and that video shows his son making contact with the referee only after first hitting himself in the helmet. Schirmer, 19, said he’s truly sorry.
The blow knocked the referee to the ground with his arms and legs spread across the field.
“I talked to him yesterday”.
Rich Kollen of the Southern California Football Association says he spoke to the ref Sunday and was told the man was a little sore but has no headache or other problems. He is scheduled to officiate another game Saturday.
A California community college player was arrested on suspicion of battery after allegedly punching a referee during a game.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will determine whether to formally charge Schirmer.
The player said he has not heard anything more from police about the case.
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“I let him get the best of me”, Schirmer said.
