On September 4th in San Antonio, Texas John Jay High School’s first football game ended with two players tackling referee, Matt Roberts Watts. With the score at 15-9 against Marble Falls High school, Senior Michael Moreno and Sophomore Victor Rojas blindsided referee Matt Robert Watts with a backside tackle. Both players were yards away from the referee before they made a beeline straight for him.
Seventeen year old Moreno and fifteen year old Rojas made their first public appearance September 18 on Good Morning America. Both athletes were accompanied with their attorney Jesse Hernandez where they alleged that their assistant coach, Mack Breed, told them, “You need to hit him. You need to make him pay the price.”
Moren and Rojas confirmed reports about Watt’s racist language during the game. Rojas accused Watts of saying at one point during the game, “Speak English, this is America,” to a hispanic player.
Alan Goldberger, Watt’s attorney responded to these allegations by saying, “I’m not going to get into a media debate with these kids. Mr. Watts has denied he made any offensive remarks.”Matt Roberts Watts has been officiating college and high school football games for 14 years, and this has been the first time there have been any issues with his refereeing.
As of now Rojas and Moreno were suspended from the football team and John Jay High school. They will attend Northside Alternative High School until the outcome of their disciplinary hearings are conducted by the Northside ISD. Both athletes could also face assault charges.
