{
  "id": 17652270,
  "title": "The Freak Referee Collision That Left an AAC Player Needing Assistance Off the Field",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/the-freak-referee-collision-that-left-an-aac-player-needing",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-01T18:12:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/freak-referee-collision-left-aac-181242452.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "East Carolina faced Temple in a home game following a 41-34 loss to Memphis. Freshman defensive back David Coleman Jr. joined a young secondary in the hopes of helping the team. Instead, a collision between Coleman and a referee during a break altered the course of the game. The incident occurred in the field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, resulting in the freshman breaking his leg. Coleman, unable to weight his right leg, required assistance off the field. Head coach Blake Harrell admitted that an X-ray at halftime revealed a fractured fibula. He expressed that such incidents were rare and unfortunate. Coleman's season now hangs in the balance, with the ECU team facing uncertainty about his recovery.",
  "summary": "East Carolina entered Saturday’s home game against Temple after a 41-34 loss at Memphis and needed a response. Freshman defensive back David Coleman Jr. was part of a young secondary trying to help deliver it. Instead, a moment between plays changed the afternoon for the Pirates. It involved Coleman, drew a strong reaction from head […] The post The Freak Referee Collision That Left an AAC Player…",
  "key_points": [
    "Freshman defensive back David Coleman Jr. breaks his leg in collision with referee.",
    "X-ray at halftime confirms fractured fibula.",
    "Coach Blake Harrell says such incidents are rare and unfortunate."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}