Dirty Football Play in Linden Was Accident 'Blown Out of Proportion,' Advocate Says: Report

Reports say an advocate for the Linden High school football player kicked off the team for what some are calling the ‘Dirtiest Football Play’ seen in high school sports says the incident was an accident that the city blew out of proportion.

“This young man’s side of the story shall be heard and the community of Linden and the country have a right to know the full story,” Salaam Ismial, director of the Elizabeth-based United Youth Council said in a statement.

A news conference is scheduled outside the Board of Education office at 1:30 p.m. today, occurring to My Central Jersey.

According to a statement from the Superintendent of Linden Public Schools Danny Robertozzi, the football player who struck an opposing player in the head with his own helmet during a Friday night game was from the team this week.

Below is the full press release issued by Superintendent Robertozzi:

The Linden Public School District is extremely disheartened by the incident at the Varsity Football Game between Linden and Immaculata High Schools on Friday, September 11, 2015.

The Board of Education is appalled by the conduct of this student athlete. His action on the field is contrary to the type of sportsmanship Linden requires from its student athletes. The brutal action taken by this young man is simply unacceptable and will not be condoned.

Accordingly, the Board is pursuing the severest disciplinary measures permitted under law and has removed this student from the football team.In addition to the stern action to be taken against this student, the Board shall stress with all of its student athletes that such egregious conduct will not be tolerated and that all athletes must adhere to the highest level of proper sportsmanship that has always been the hallmark of Linden sports.While disciplinary consequences have been imposed against this student, the Board cannot lawfully comment on the specific disciplinary action being taken.

As a public school student, this young man is entitled to certain due process and confidentiality rights that prevent the Board from commenting more specifically on the actions being taken. Accordingly, the Board asks that the Public respect the legal restraints that limit the Board’s ability to more fully discuss this incident.

Danny Robertozzi, Ed. D.

Superintendent

Linden Public Schools

The Incident

An Immaculata High School football player left Friday night’s game against Linden High School in need of 10 stitches after he was struck in the head by his own helmet by a Linden defensive lineman.

Reports say the Linden player took the Immaculata offensive lineman’s helmet off his head while taking him to the ground during a play on Sept. 11. He then struck the Immaculata player across the head with the helmet before swinging it several yards across the field at the Linden’s Tiger Stadium, according to nj.com.

The incident, which happened in the second quarter of the game, is currently under investigation by the Linden Police Department’s Juvenile Bureau. According to My Central Jersey, Immaculata Athletics Director Tom Gambino said “I’m waiting for answers,” when asked if the school will pursue criminal charges against the Linden player.

The following statement was issued by Linden Schools Superintendent Danny A. Robertozzi regarding the incident:

“The Linden Public School District is aware of the incident. An investigation by administration is taking place and disciplinary consequences will be issued accordingly. Due to student confidentiality, no further comments will be released. The Linden Public School District is taking this very seriously and by no means is this incident a reflection of our school community or athletic teams.”

The Linden player, whose name has been withheld from media reports because he is believed to be a minor, has since been suspended from school for 10 days and from playing in two football games, according to Larry Brown Sports. During the game, the Linden player was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, but since officials didn’t see exactly what happened, he was not ejected from the game.

A video uploaded to Youtube by Mai Day Productions shows the alleged incident.