Jay football players said coach gave order to attack official on the field

There are still a lot of questions about what happened to make two Jay Mustang football players target an official, but this is what we know so far. There are still a lot of questions about what happened to make two Jay Mustang football players target an official, but this is what we know so far. Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Jay football players said coach gave order to attack official on the field 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO—The two Jay football players that viciously blindsided an official during a football game Sept. 4 at Marble Falls said they were following a coach's instructions when they tackled and speared umpire Robert Watts.

In an exclusive interview on ABC's "Good Morning America" that aired Friday, senior Mike Moreno and sophomore Victor Rojas made their first public comments since the incident, suggesting Jay defensive backs coach Mack Breed instructed them to attack Watts for "unjustified calls" and allegedly directing "racial slurs" at two players.

"(Breed told me) 'You need to hit the ref. He needs to pay the price,' " Moreno told GMA's George Stephanopoulos at ABC's New York studio. "...I can't explain it. I was doing what I was told."

Moreno said he had second thoughts just before he reached Watts.

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"I just realized the gravity of the situation and realized, 'This is actually happening,' and I couldn't fully go through with it," Moreno said. "So at the end, I pulled up a lot. It was hard for me, actually doing it."

Rojas said among the racial slurs allegedly uttered by Watts were, "Speak English, this is America." Rojas and Moreno also said they heard Watts direct the "n-word" at teammate Moses Reynolds, an African-American.

Watts' attorney, Alan Goldberger, has denied his client made any racial comments to the players.

"It's the honest truth," Moreno said. "I wouldn't lie about this situation. The truth needs to be told."

"Of course." - Michael Moreno and Victor Rojas to @GStephanopoulos when asked if they would take the moment back pic.twitter.com/qqs1xBykDv — Good Morning America (@GMA) September 18, 2015

Moreno and Rojas could face criminal charges in Burnet County. According to prosecuting attorney Eddie Arredondo, Burnet County is waiting on the Marble Falls Police Department to complete its investigation before deciding if criminal charges will be filed against the pair.

The Northside Independent School District initially suspended the players before sending them to the district's alternative school. The University Interscholastic League, which governs extracurricular activities in the state's public schools, is scheduled to meet Sept. 24 to discuss the incident.

A disciplinary hearing with the two players and their attorney, Jesse Hernandez, has not been schedule, NISD athletic director Stan Laing said.

Watts is also under scrutiny. The NISD is expected to deliver a report on his conduct to the Texas Association of Sports Officials by the end of this week.

Both players said if given the opportunity, they would apologize to Watts.

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"Of course," they said.

Added Moreno, "I would apologize for the mistake that I made."

Moreno also suggested the incident was out of character for him. According to GMA, Moreno is an honor student.

"Everyone sees me as this thug, this gangster...Underneath the helmet and pads, I'm really a great kid," said Moreno, who told GMA he plans on becoming an aerospace engineer. "To this day, I regret it. It's one of my biggest regrets. It's affecting my life greatly now."

But Moreno suggested he would not have gone after Watts had he not been provoked by Breed, who has been placed on paid administrative leave by the NISD.

"You put your trust in a grown up, your guardian, your coach...I trust that he wants the best for me," Moreno said. "...I can't explain it. I was doing what I was told."

Breed's attorney, James Reeves, did not immediately return a phone message from the Express-News seeking comment.

The video of the players tackling and spearing Watts from behind has been viewed by millions and sparked a national debate on what punishment, if any, Moreno and Rojas should face.

Hernandez, the attorney for the players, told GMA he thought the players have already paid the appropriate punishment.

"They have suffered three days of suspension, they have been in alternative school for a week, they are excluded from playing football for the rest of the season," Hernandez said. "I think that's enough. They have apologized. They are sorry. They didn't mean to do this. I think they have been punished fairly enough."

torsborn@express-news.net