{
  "id": 17674311,
  "title": "Referee accidentally breaks player’s leg after collision",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/referee-accidentally-breaks-players-leg-after-collision",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T20:42:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/referee-accidentally-breaks-players-leg-after-collision/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "During an East Carolina Pirates football game against Temple Owls, a defensive back named David Coleman Jr. suffered a fractured leg after colliding with a referee. The incident occurred during a break in play when the referee ran towards the 40-yard line and slipped into Coleman Jr, causing him to fall. The defender lay on the ground for a while before receiving assistance from teammates to get off the field and prevent further injury. Coach Blake Harrell confirmed the X-ray results, showing that Coleman Jr had fractured his fibula. Coleman Jr managed one tackle before leaving the game but East Carolina still managed to win 17-9. The unusual nature of the collision, involving a referee instead of an opposing player, left everyone surprised.",
  "summary": "An East Carolina Pirates defensive back suffered a fractured leg after an unusual collision with a referee during his team’s 17-9 victory over the Temple Owls in U S, according to BBC Sport on Sunday. David Coleman Jr was standing on the field alongside his teammates between plays when an official ran towards the area Read More:…",
  "key_points": [
    "East Carolina Pirates vs. Temple Owls football game",
    "David Coleman Jr. fractures leg during collision with referee",
    "Coach confirms X-ray results, Coleman Jr. fractures fibula"
  ],
  "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."
}