High school players: Coach ordered attack on referee

Two weeks after their infamous on-field attack on a referee, two football players from Jay High School in San Antonio made their first public statements about the incident.

Appearing on “Good Morning America” alongside their lawyer, senior Mike Moreno and sophomore Victor Rojas apologized for their actions. The players repeated allegations that umpire Robert Watts uttered racial slurs during Jay’s 15-9 loss at Marble Falls on Sept. 4 and said a coach urged them to attack Watts.

“To this day, I regret it. It’s one of my biggest regrets,” Moreno said. “It’s been affecting my life greatly.”

“I would apologize for the mistake that I made,” Rojas said when interviewer George Stephanopoulos asked him what he would say to Watts.

In the closing minute of the game, Moreno blindsided Watts and Rojas speared the official as he lay on the ground. The attacks on Watts who was working with an Austin-based officiating crew were caught on camera, and video of the incident has attracted more than 10 million views on YouTube.

No criminal charges have been filed. Moreno and Rojas have been removed from the team and are attending an alternative school.

Northside school district officials placed Jay assistant coach Mack Breed on administrative leave. He has been accused of telling players, “This guy needs to pay for cheating us” during the game.

Watts has denied making racist comments toward Jay players. His attorney, Alan Goldberger, could not be reached for comment Friday.

The University Interscholastic League, the Northside district and the Texas Association of Sports Officials are conducting investigations.

Moreno said Friday that he heard Watts use a racial epithet in reference to Moses Reynolds, an African-American teammate. Rojas also said he heard Watts tell one of his Hispanic teammates: “Speak English; this is America.” The players also said Breed ordered the attack, and Moreno said he was just following his coach’s lead.

“You put your trust into this grown-up or guardian or your coach,” Moreno said. “I trust him that he wants the best for me. I just did what I was told.”

Moreno also told Stephanopoulos that the attack was not reflective of his character.

“Everyone sees me as this thug or gangster and I did this because I’m a bad guy,” said Moreno, whom Stephanopoulos noted was a member of the National Honor Society. “That’s not who I am. Underneath the helmet and the pads, I’m really a great kid.”

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