Another high school football player targets ref during game

The MDAC’s suspension reportedly still stands, but there’s a bit of a he-said, he-said between Glencliff High School and the TSSAA, which you can go read over at the Gallatin News if the intricacies of discipline in high school athletics appeal to you.

Malcolm Easley, who was lined up at linebacker, took a running begin & hit umpire Kyle Gill on a play near the goal line.

Gill disagreed with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, “I think it’s pretty obvious what went down. We promptly contacted the official and informed him that his registration with TSSAA is suspended effective immediately while we verify whether the information we received is accurate”.

Easley has been suspended from Glencliff’s home game Friday against Hunters Lane. The player was running in the direction of the ball-carrier and hit the official.

“The Tennessee Secdondary School Athletic Association reviewed the video and determined the collision was not intentional”.

Easley, who is also the head coach’s son, has been suspended indefinitely by the Metro District Athletic Committee.

Gill reports that he does not believe the hit was an accident, because the two had discussed the situation just moments beforehand.

“I asked him, ‘How long have you been playing football?'” Gill said. He knows how serious that is and what it would mean for his future in football. I told him that he should have to avoid me and not the other way around. He hopes Mr. Gill will accept his honest apology.

Easley was not ejected from the game and his team drew a 15-yard penalty for the play – which actually makes no sense.

All this time, we were anxious about players getting concussions, apparently we have to worry about the refs getting them instead. “On the very next play, you saw what happened”, Gill said.