Overview
- An on-field official slipped and collided with freshman defensive back David Coleman Jr. between plays, causing the injury during East Carolina’s game on Saturday, Oct. 31.
- Coach Blake Harrell said an X-ray taken at halftime confirmed a fractured fibula, and ESPN reported Coleman was carried off and taken to a hospital because he could not put weight on the leg.
- Reports and video show the contact was accidental and that the official checked on Coleman; sports outlets have identified the umpire as Jonathan Kirk and no public disciplinary action or league response has been announced.
- Coleman is a true freshman with limited game experience, so the injury threatens his development and is expected to sideline him for the foreseeable future, forcing ECU to adjust its secondary as it pursues bowl eligibility.
- The collision circulated widely on social platforms and drew broad media attention, and Coach Harrell flagged unusual officiating moments in the contest that nevertheless ended with ECU beating Temple 17-9.