The UIL announced action on Monday in response to an incident between a Whitney player and an official during the Wildcats' game against Dallas Madison on Friday.
In collaboration with the Texas Association of Sports Officials — who operates the officials for Texas high school football — the UIL announced the removal of the official from all contests pending the completion of an investigation. The UIL also announced the reversal of the game ejection of David Haynes III, the Whitney player involved in the incident.
Video quickly circulated on Friday night of the incident, wherein Haynes — a linebacker for the Wildcats — collided with the umpire during a play only for the official to appear to pull at and tear off the player's helmet. Haynes reacted by raising his hands to the sideline and appearing to say something to the official, who then flagged Haynes and ejected him.
If the ejection stood, Haynes — who is the son of Whitney head coach David Haynes Jr. — would miss the first half of this week's game against Dallas Life Oak Cliff.
The official is from the Dallas chapter of TASO. Whitney went on to win the game, 56-28, to improve to 5-0.
Coach David Haynes Jr. shared his reaction on social media, thanking the UIL and the officials for their action.
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