NFL umpire Larry Smith carted off after slipping at Wembley

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 17:02 · Archive

Umpire Larry Smith suffered a leg injury after slipping on the wet turf at Wembley Stadium during the first quarter of the Texans-Jaguars game in London.

Umpire Larry Smith was carted off the field during the first quarter of Sunday's Texans-Jaguars game at Wembley Stadium after suffering a non-contact leg injury from slipping on the wet turf. Smith fell between plays while changing the ball, then collapsed when he attempted to get back up. He could not put weight on his left leg as trainers attended to him and he was loaded onto a medical cart.

Smith was replaced on the officiating crew, which reduced the number of officials from seven to six. Referee Shawn Hochuli was expected to take on much of the umpire's usual responsibilities for the remainder of the game. The incident drew a respectful response from fellow officials: line judge Carl Johnson knelt, removed his cap, and prayed for Smith as trainers treated him.

Smith is in his second year as an NFL official after being called up in 2025. He also serves as principal of a middle school in Kansas City, Kansas, and was previously a longtime college football official in the Big Ten. The Texans led the Jaguars 17-14 at halftime.

How it is being reported

• Awful moment referee is carted off the field at NFL London game after collapsing to the turf in agonyLarry Smith was the main referee for the NFL London game at Wembley Stadium but his afternoon finished early when he collapsed to the turf in agony during the first quarter.Daily Mail Sport · 18 Oct, 16:54
• NFL line judge takes knee and appears to pray after umpire collapses during Jaguars-Texans London gameUmpire Larry Smith collapsed on the Wembley Stadium turf during the Jaguars-Texans game, and the moment that followed moved NFL fans everywhere.Fox News · 18 Oct, 16:53
• Ref gets carted off with injury during Jaguars-Texans game in LondonThe wet field at Wembley Stadium caused a non-contact injury for a member of the officiating crew.New York Post · 18 Oct, 16:28

In this story: Larry Smith · Wembley Stadium · Houston Texans · Jacksonville Jaguars · Shawn Hochuli · Carl Johnson

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