The visiting Mt. San Antonio College lineman Bernard Schirmer was accused of punching the unidentified side judge in the middle of the third quarter in the game against Ventura College, college police confirmed.
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The game continued, with Ventura going on to win 34-29. As the referee, who was not named, walked Schirmer back to his huddle, a punch was thrown, and the referee hit the ground.
The referee reportedly does not plan to press charges.
“The ref just got punched in the face by a player”, the broadcaster said.
“This basically ruins his career”, he said.
A California community college football player says he is “truly sorry” for knocking out a referee during a game Saturday night, an action that resulted in his arrest.
The school will appeal the suspension to the California Community Athletic Association, he said.
Schirmer, who stands 6-foot-6 (2 meters) and weighs 275 pounds (122 kilograms), said he was having words with a defensive end who had pushed him. He hasn’t seen a physician.
The official, whose name was not released, was removed from the game after being tended to by trainers from both teams.
The LA Times reports that the official was knocked unconscious by the blow. He posted bail Sunday. Schirmer’s father explained his son was hitting himself in the head to calm down and accidentally hit the referee.
Prosecutors will decide whether to charge Schirmer.
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College police are reportedly handling the case, but whether Schirmer will be formally charged is a question for the district attorney. He was then taken to Ventura County jail, Sgt. Mike Pallotto of the Ventura College Police Department. “After closely reviewing video footage and interviewing those involved and outside witnesses, Mt. SAC maintains that the student-athlete, Bernard Shirmer, unintentionally hit the referee”, the statement said.
