Robert Watts tackled by two John Jay players denies racial slurs at students

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John Jay High School were losing to Marble Falls when tackle took place
Referee appeared to have been deliberately hit by two John Jay players
Pair alleged that official used 'racist slur' against them before the incident
Attorney for referee Robert Watts said he is now considering legal action
Said players using 'common tactic' to make victim of crime responsible
Watts says he prefers to 'keep quiet' but spoke after being 'slandered'
Players named locally as sophomore Victor Rojas and senior Mike Moreno
Under Texas law, they face six months behind bars and up to $2,000 fine

By Khaleda Rahman and Chris Pleasance For Dailymail.com

Published: 11:39 EST, 10 September 2015 | Updated: 08:50 EST, 11 September 2015

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The football referee filmed being tackled from behind by two players has denied directing racial slurs at the students before the incident.

Robert Watts, a 14-year veteran of the game, was allegedly intentionally tackled by two players in the last minute of a game between John Jay High School and Marble Falls High School in Texas on Friday.

The two students, named locally as sophomore Victor Rojas and senior Mike Moreno, from John Jay High School in San Antonio, have claimed the referee had used racial slurs against them earlier in the game.

But Alan Goldberger, an attorney for Watts, has said the players are ‘flat-out lying’, adding that Watts is now considering taking legal action against them.

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Alan Golberger (pictured right) said the players are 'flat-out lying' that referee Robert Watts (left) used racial slurs and were using a 'common tactic ' to make the victim of a crime responsible for the crime against them

Referee Robert Watts who was filmed being tackled from behind by two players has denied directing racial slurs at the students before the incident

Two football players from John Jay High School were filmed tackling a referee from behind during a game against Marble Falls before diving into him on the floor

‘This is a very common tactic to make the victim of a crime responsible for the crime against them,’ he told ABC News.

He said it was one that was commonly used in officiating situations.

‘These were not two year-olds,’ he added. ‘They knew full well that somebody may have been hurt.’

But he added that despite fearing for his safety after the incident, Watts wants to continue officiating.

According to the New York Times, Goldberger added 'They just brutally blindsided him. He never saw it coming, obviously.'

The two players have been suspended by the Northside Independent School District as they investigate the incident.

The boys, named locally as Victor Rojas and Mike Moreno, were suspended from the team and from the school, but are now also being investigated by the police

Texas has specific laws to deal with attacks on sports officials, meaning the players are facing a maximum of six months in jail alongside a fine of up to $2,000 (pictured, the referee falls to the floor, center)

On Tuesday, Watts spoke out about the incident for the first time, saying that although he usually likes 'to keep quiet', he felt the need to speak out as 'libel and slander have been committed against me'.

His comments came as police began investigating the John Jay High School players.

Under Texas laws that specifically deal with attacks on sports officials, the pair could be facing up to six months behind bars and fines of up to $2,000.

Speaking to Texashsfootball.com, Watts said: 'I like to keep my officiating quiet; unfortunately this will be big news.

'Libel and slander have already been committed against me. I will be contacting the appropriate people soon and any statement from me will come at a later date.'

A statement released by John Jay school district said: 'The students involved allege that the official used a racial slur towards them and a Jay High School assistant coach made comments that could have led the students to make improper contact with the official.

Watts was reported to have been preparing legal action after the tackle, meaning the two players could face even more trouble

'The assistant coach [Mack Breed] has been placed on administrative leave by the district while the investigation continues.

'The district is in the process of filing an official report to the Texas Association of Sports Officials regarding the racial slur allegations.'

Police have said that they believe the players 'targeted' Watts during the game before he was 'blindsided' during a last-minute play.

Marble Falls had come from behind to take a 15-9 lead and were looking to run down the clock in the final minute of the game to claim victory.

Earlier in the game, the referee had sent two John Jay players off the field for incidents in separate plays.

Apparently angered by his calls, the John Jay defensive backs waited for play to start on their 20-yard line before running at the official.

The first player, wearing a number 12 jersey, shoulder-barges the unsuspecting man in the back as he watches the play in front of him with enough forced to knock his hat off.

The second player, who seems to be wearing jersey 81, then dives in helmet first as the official lays winded on the ground before play is stopped and they are both sent off the field.

Pascual Gonzalez, a spokesman for the Northside Independent School District, called footage of the foul 'extremely disturbing' and said an investigation is being launched.

He said a hearing is now due to be held including interviews with officials, coaches and students.

The tackle took place in the final minute of the game on Friday with Marble Falls attempting to run down the clock and hold on to a 15-9 lead

As play begins the unsuspecting official looks on while the John Jay defensive backs rush towards him, sprinting five yards before making contact

Marble Falls coach Matt Green said John Jay coach Gary Gutierrez apologized after the game, before adding: 'I've coached 14 years and I've never seen anything like it.'

According to reports after the game, the official was 'very upset' by what happened, and could be planning legal action.

The penalties resulting from the illegal tackle handed Marble Falls a first down, and they were able to run out the clock for a 15-9 win.

Marble Falls had opened the scoring in the game within just minutes of the starting whistle as they completed a 53 yard drive in 12 plays to bring the score to 7-0, according to the Daily Trib.

John Jay tied the score shortly afterwards with a 10-yard throw for a touchdown, before an end-zone sack of the Marble Falls quarterback left the score at 9-7.

However, with around nine minutes left in the game, Marble Falls ran in another touchdown plus a two-point conversion to bring the score to 15-9, which is how the game ended.

The first tackle (pictured) is hard enough to knock the official's hat off as he falls to the floor, before the second player (left) dives in helmet first

Officials for the school district say they are planning a full investigation including interviews with the players, coaches and referee involved (pictured, the referee is pushed to the floor)

Marble Falls coach Matt Green said John Jay coach Gary Gutierrez apologized after the game, before adding: 'I've coached 14 years and I've never seen anything like it'