College Football Player Uses Helmet To Strike Teammate In Viral Fall Camp Clip

Fall camp skirmishes are not unusual, but a college football player striking his teammate after yanking off his helmet is an entirely different occurrence.

That seems to be what happened in a recent Appalachian State practice during fall camp this week. The Mountaineers, who were voted as the preseason favorite to win the Sun Belt, began fall camp on Aug. 2.

In the viral video, a defensive lineman engages with an offensive lineman in a one-on-one rep before ripping off his teammate's helmet and using it as a weapon, striking the offensive lineman on the head with noticeable force.

The video's quality makes it difficult to identify the two involved in the incident. It was a shocking moment that caused a massive reaction across social media. Many pointed towards the danger that a significant blow to the head would cause, and others questioned what happened after the video stopped.

The offensive player may have initially had an issue with how the defender contacted the quarterback at the end of the play. The expectation is that the player will be severely disciplined, with the possibility of being removed from the team.

The X, formerly Twitter, account that shared the video referenced a similar move by Cleveland Browns star defensive lineman Myles Garrett, who used Mason Rudolph's helmet to strike the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback in 2019.

The Mountaineers, led by head coach Shawn Clark, were ranked No. 1 overall in the Sun Belt preseason coaches poll in 2023 after finishing 9-5 and second in the conference to James Madison.

Appalachian State will kick off the season at home against East Tennessee State on Aug. 31.

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