Referee's fall injures East Carolina player in college football game

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 02:32 · Archive

An East Carolina safety was taken to hospital after a referee slipped and collided with him during the Pirates' 17-9 win over Temple.

East Carolina safety David Coleman Jr was taken to hospital on Saturday after an unusual on-field injury. During the Pirates' 17-9 win over Temple at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, a referee slipped and fell into Coleman while running closer to the play as the team's defense set up its formation. The official collided with Coleman's right leg, and the player had to be helped off the field before being transported to hospital.

Coleman is believed to have suffered a fractured fibula in the collision, according to reporting from On3. He entered Saturday's game with six tackles in three appearances this year. The injury is likely to rule him out for the rest of the season.

The victory marked East Carolina's fourth win of 2026. Head coach Blake Harrell had acknowledged earlier in the week that the team had experienced a difficult spell, suffering overtime losses to Alabama-Birmingham and Memphis.

How it is being reported

• College football star rushed to hospital with horrifying injury caused by the refereeThe East Carolina Pirates beat Temple 17-9 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, but it was an incident between plays that is making headlines - and for all the wrong reasons.Daily Mail Sport · 1 Nov, 02:16
• Referee accidentally sends East Carolina player to hospital with bizarre collisionAn Eastern Carolina player was sent to a hospital after a collision on Saturday — but the injury was not caused by another player.New York Post · 1 Nov, 00:22

In this story: David Coleman Jr · East Carolina Pirates · Temple · Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium · Blake Harrell

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