Brief
Missouri High School Football Referee Suspended After Grabbing Player Post‑Touchdown
The Missouri State High School Activities Association said the official will not work games pending a review.
By Felo News Desk · Published
During a Thursday night high school football game between Glendale and Kickapoo in Missouri, Glendale wide receiver Joelle Rover was grabbed by a referee after scoring a 47‑yard touchdown and celebrating with a teammate, the New York Post reported.
Video shows the official pulling Rover’s chest and turning him around before a brief, heated exchange in the end zone. Glendale head coach Frank Tristan was heard yelling at another official, saying, “He doesn’t need to be touching my player… He needs to grow up.”
Following the incident, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) suspended the referee indefinitely. MSHSAA communications director Andrew Kauffman told USA Today that the association was aware of the situation and had taken action. Springfield Public Schools, which oversees both Glendale and Kickapoo, said it is working with MSHSAA to resolve the matter.
Key facts
- Glendale wide receiver Joelle Rover was grabbed by a referee after a touchdown. (nypost.com)
- Glendale head coach Frank Tristan criticized the referee’s actions on video. (nypost.com)
- The Missouri State High School Activities Association suspended the referee indefinitely. (nypost.com)
- Springfield Public Schools is cooperating with MSHSAA to address the incident. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “High school football ref suspended after grabbing player during touchdown celebration”
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