Emotions are heating up as the country becomes more divided over football players protests during the national anthem, it’s not only in the NFL anymore, but varsity football is also feeling the heat of this issue. During last weekend’s game between New Jersey’s Monroe High against Colts Neck, several players took a knee during the national anthem, this action offended the referee and his line judge son, who erratically stormed the field in disgust.
Kudos to Mr. Lunardelli and his son for taking a stand against the disrespectful kneeling by the Monroe players.
— murphy (@murphy4004) October 29, 2017
“I’ve been in New Jersey interscholastic sports for 48 years and I’ve never seen an official walk off the field unless there was an injury or illness,” said Jack Dubois of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) to Yahoo Sports. “It’s unprecedented.”
@ernielunardelli is right. He was raised a racist and it is his right to protest anyone who is opposed to racial injustice. https://t.co/M4Rr15WHWr
— Howard Garson (@howardig) October 29, 2017
Dubois confirmed that the father and son officials, Ernie Lunardelli and Anthony Lunardelli will not be assigned any other games this season. “If they walked off once,” GMC officials assigner Thomas Paulikas told Yahoo, “what’s going to keep them from doing it tomorrow or the next day?”
https://twitter.com/CarlosRambleNFL/status/924418774203170822
“They’ve got a right to protest and so do we,” told the referee’s son to MycentralJersey.com, “[Protesting during the anthem] is not how I was brought up, and that’s not how I was raised. I’m not criticizing their right. That’s just my viewpoint.”
Ernie Lunardelli and his son Anthony shouldn't used the I was hacked excuse.
You're racist. Stop being cowards about it and own it.
— @joshuaclaytor270 (@JoshuaClaytor) October 30, 2017
However the Lunardellis intentions are not as innocent as they try to lead on, NJ Advance Media reported that Lunardelli Sr. made a racially offensive post on social media where he referred to President Obama as an animal. On January 21st, the veteran high school referee posted a picture of the former president a caption that read, “Thanks for f*ck*ng up the country!! Back to the zoo!!” to which the man responded, “I was hacked. I’m not a racist. My best friend is black.” a response that has left many unsatisfied.
According to Paulikas, Monroe players have been kneeling during the anthem since September, Lunardelli supposedly claimed in advance that he would walk out of the game if the players continued protesting. “No, I don’t recall that ever, having a conversation with him about walking off the field ever,” Paulikas said. “He’s a very good official and I’m very surprised that they did what they did.”
https://twitter.com/KristieLMcNulty/status/924811114323390465
Colts Neck coach Darian Barnes, whose players did not kneel during the anthem, was not as understanding to the Lunardellis despite remaining himself respectful to the flag and attacked both officials on NJ Advance Media. “To me, he’s a coward, you don’t stand there and scream at a bunch of 16- and 17-year-olds who are just expressing their rights the same as he was expressing his. He’s a grown man. After you tell the other adults what you are going to do, you don’t turn around and scream at kids. That’s what needs to be addressed.”
What do you think though? Should we cut the Lunardellis some slack or should they be expected to remain focused on officiating the game?
Ernie Lunardelli should be held accountable for his racist attitudes.
— Rock (@campbellrock) October 30, 2017
Article inspired by Yahoo Sports // Referees walk-off football field after high school players kneel during anthem