A freak accident occurred at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium during the East Carolina Pirates’ 17-9 victory over the Temple Owls. During the first half of the match, an official attempting to address a situation near the 40-yard line slipped and collided with defensive back David Coleman Jr.
Coleman Jr had been standing with his teammates between plays when the referee approached from behind, lost his footing, and slid into the player. The impact forced the defensive back to the ground, where he remained until team members arrived to carry him off the field, ensuring he could avoid putting weight on his injured leg.
East Carolina coach Blake Harrell confirmed that medical staff performed an X-ray on Coleman Jr during half-time, which revealed a fractured fibula. Before his early exit, the defensive back had successfully recorded one tackle.
Reflecting on the unusual injury, Harrell expressed concern for his player while noting the rarity of the event. He stated that his thoughts and prayers are with the athlete, adding that while the situation was wild, he had never before witnessed such an incident involving a game official.
