Immaculata football player bashed in head with own helmet by opponent

After appearing to wrestle the helmet off an opponent, a Linden High School defensive lineman proceeded to bash that same player in the head with that helmet during a routine second-quarter running play in a game against Immaculata High School at Linden's Tiger Stadium on Friday night.

Linden police Capt. James Sarnicki said the Linden Police Department's Juvenile Bureau is investigating the incident. MyCentralJersey.com is withholding the identity of the Linden player because he is believed to be a minor.

Asked if Immaculata will pursue criminal charges against the Linden player, Immaculata ahletic director Tom Gambino said, “I’m waiting for answers."

Linden Schools Superintendent Danny A. Robertozzi issued the following statement regarding the matter: "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."

Gambino said that he has received an apology from Linden school officials and that the principals of both Linden and Immaculata high schools remain in communication about the incident.

Gambino said he has contacted NJSIAA Associate Director Larry White, who oversees football officials for the statewide athletics association, regarding the incident and has yet to receive a response.

“Our No. 1 goal is for all student-athletes to play in safe, healthy and sportsmanlike conditions at all times,” said NJSIAA Executive Director Steve Timko, who told MyCentralJersey.com that he first learned of the incident Tuesday afternoon. Timko declined further comment.

Michael Cherenson, a spokesman for the NJSIAA, said, “We've been in contact with the school (Linden) and believe they are handling the matter seriously and appropriately.”

Barstoolsports.com posted a video of the incident on Tuesday morning beneath the headline: “Here Is One of the Dirtiest Football Plays You’ll Ever See.”

The video shows an Immaculata player falling to his knees as his helmet appears to be pulled from his head. The Linden player, standing above the Immaculata player and holding the Immaculata player’s helmet in his right hand by the facemask, uses a motion similar to that of a bowler, swinging the helmet backward before propelling it forward, smashing it against the Immaculata player’s forehead.

The Immaculata player was taken from Tiger Stadium to Morristown Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for a contusion that required 10 stitches and released, Gambino said.

Gambino said a referee threw a flag on the play, penalizing the Linden player for unsportsmanlike conduct, but the referee did not eject the Linden player for committing a flagrant foul in the game, which Immaculata won 26-6 over the defending North 2 Group V state champions.

“Obviously this is very serious,” Gambino said. “When you see it on film, it’s like, 'Oh my God.’ Obviously the officials didn’t see it. If he did, I’m sure he would have walked the kid to the Linden sideline. These are good guys (officials). That’s not the point here. It’s hard to believe they didn’t see it. But, come on. If you see that, you have to think that he would have been led off the field.”

Staff Writer Harry Frezza: hfrezza@mycentraljersey.com

Staff Writer Greg Tufaro: gtufaro@mycentraljersey.com