An NFL referee underwent medical treatment after brutally colliding with a player during the Vikings game against the Chargers.
During the third quarter at SoFi Stadium, official Andy Warner official Andy Warner clashed heads with Vikings lineman Javon Hargrave, who weighs 307lbs.
The Down Judge was visibly shaken by the incident and took a moment to compose himself before later being tended to by the medical staff.
Footage showed Warner being assessed on the field before being cleared to return. He promptly placed his hat back on his head and flashed a smile as he carried on.
One of Warner’s fellow officials gave him a pat on the back as he returned to action.
It was a brutal introduction to the NFL for Warner, who is in his debut season with the league having previously officiated in the Big 12.
An NFL referee received medical treatment after colliding with a 307lbs Vikings lineman
Down Judge Andy Warner was assessed by medical staff before later returning to the field
He has since officiated throughout the opening six game weeks of the season, having been on duty for the Chiefs’ 31-0 win over the Raiders the week prior.
In Thursday’s game, the Chargers produced a dominant performance to extend their record to 5-3 for the season, while the Vikings fell to 3-4.
In a similar incident earlier this month, ESPN reporter Tori Petry was brutally wiped out while on the sidelines of a college football game.
Petry was on duty as Baylor faced visiting Kansas State in a Big 12 matchup in Waco, which the home side won 35-34 following a dramatic fourth quarter comeback.
However, after the game, fans weren’t talking about the impressive run that Baylor went on in the last 15 minutes and, rather, delved into Petry’s painful hit.
During the second quarter, Kansas QB Avery Johnson was rushing forwards before getting pushed out of bounds by Baylor’s Kyland Reed.
Given how quick he was going, Johnson couldn’t slow down and, unfortunately for Petry, smashed right into the ESPN sideline reporter.
However, remarkably, Petry was able to dust herself off and get back to her feet just moments later.
