Referee accidentally fractures college football player’s leg
East Carolina defensive back David Coleman Jr fractured his fibula after a referee slipped and collided with him during a game against Temple. The unusual accident happened between plays in the first half, and Coleman Jr had to leave the field, making the injury a setback for East Carolina’s defence.
Coach Blake Harrell said an X-ray at half-time confirmed the fracture and expressed support for Coleman Jr. He had made one tackle before departing, while East Carolina went on to win 17-9 at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium.
In short
- A referee slipped into East Carolina’s David Coleman Jr.
- Coleman Jr fractured his fibula and left the game.
- East Carolina beat Temple 17-9.
Explained simply
College football is the US version of the sport played by university teams, with matches organised into regional conferences and national competitions. East Carolina University and Temple University are both in the American Athletic Conference.
David Coleman Jr plays defensive back for East Carolina, a role focused on stopping opposing players from advancing the ball. A fracture to the fibula, one of the bones in the lower leg, can keep a player out of action while it heals.
Injuries can affect how a team covers opponents and rotates players during a game. Coaches and medical staff assess injured players and guide their treatment and return to play.
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