East Carolina player fractures fibula after referee slips into him

East Carolina defensive back David Coleman Jr fractured his fibula after a referee slipped and collided with him during the Pirates’ 17-9 win over Temple, the team’s coach said.

Coleman was standing with team-mates between plays when the official ran towards an incident near the 40-yard line. Approaching from behind, the referee slipped and slid into him, sending Coleman forwards to the ground.

Coleman was later carried from the field by two team-mates so he would not have to put weight on his injured leg. Coach Blake Harrell said an X-ray at half-time confirmed the fracture.

“Our thoughts and our prayers are with him. But that’s just one of those things. Kind of wild it happens, I’d never seen that from an official,” Harrell said.

Coleman recorded one tackle before leaving the game.