Former Texas high school football player avoids prison after tackling referee

EDINBURG, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — A former Edinburg High football player will spend a year on community supervision after tackling a referee in 2020.

Emmanuel Duron pleaded no contest to a charge of assault causing bodily injury Tuesday morning after he was seen tackling referee Alfredo “Fred” Gracia during a playoff high school football game between Edinburg High and PSJA High.

On Dec. 3, 2020, Duron tackled Gracia after he was ejected from the game for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Duron was given a judgement of deferred adjudication, and will be ordered to serve one year of community supervision. During that time period, he is required to avoid places and people of harmful character, pay a fine and maintain employment, among other conditions.

The former football star will also be ineligible to possess a firearm or ammunition.

In December 2022, Gracia filed a lawsuit against Duron , the Rio Grande Texas Association of Sports Officials and the Southwest Officials Association. Gracia claims he suffered embarrassment, pain, psychological and physical damage from the assault.

“As a proximate result of the assault, Gracia sustained severe and life-altering injuries,” the lawsuit states.

Gracia is seeking a monetary relief in excess of $1 million.

Duron still has a pending case for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance , and was arrested in February in connection to a separate assault charge .

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