Family, Activists Defend Linden H.S. Football Player Accused Of Hitting Opponent With Helmet

UPDATED 09/18/15 3:57 p.m.

LINDEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The family of a Linden High School player seen swinging a helmet and hitting an opponent during a game last week has begun pushing back at criticism.

Linden High School played Immaculata High School at home this past Friday night. Video showed Linden defensive lineman Fritz Moncion apparently pull the helmet off his opponent and hit the player on the head with it, as CBS2's Tony Aiello reported.

The Immaculata player stood up after the hit and was taken to a hospital, where he received 10 stitches to close a head wound.

A referee penalized Moncion for unsportsmanlike conduct, but did not remove him from the game.

On Thursday, Moncion's mother, Anita McDuffy, came to the defense of her son.

"Sometimes kids during football might get overwhelmed, and he really is apologetic for this," McDuffy said. "He didn't mean it. He said it was an accident. And my thing is he said he got his hand stuck in the helmet, and I believe my child."

McDuffy said she was the game when Moncion tangled with the Immaculata player. The video of the incident went viral, and as is often the case, the Internet reaction got very ugly and personal.

"He's very hurt. He's crying," McDuffy said. "He's really upset."

Linden community activist Dondi Givens Jr. also defended Moncion.

"This young man comes from decent stock, good stock. He's being raised properly. He never had any problems at school until now," Givens said.

According to activists advising Moncion's family, the Immaculata player – No. 73 – had speared Moncion in the midsection with his helmet on an earlier play.

Givens said "there was a lot of racial stuff being said," and activists said it included the N word.

That allegation drew swift pushback from Linden School Supt. Danny Robertozzi.

"This is the first time I'm hearing anything about this incident being possibly racially motivated, and that has not come up in our investigation. It has not come up in our conversation with the young man," Robertozzi said.

The superintendent also confirmed he decided to remove Moncion from the team.

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association also said in a statement Friday that there was no evidence found of harassment prior to the helmet strike.

"Initial reports provided by both schools have found nothing to substantiate any allegations of harassment, as alleged by one parent," the association said in a statement. "As per our rules, we have notified the state's Division of Civil Rights regarding the claims, and have supplied our initial findings."

Moncion posted on Instagram that he has been suspended for 10 days. Linden police said they turned results of their investigation over to the prosecutor's office, with no recommendation either way about possible charges.

"We just provided them with the evidence and everything we have from the investigation, and it's totally their determination what they want to do with this," said Linden police Capt. James Sarnicki.

The Immaculata player's family also issued a statement Thursday.

"We're very proud of our son's peacefulness and self-control. We are grateful for the support and prayers of the Immaculata, the Linden, and now, the global communities," the statement said.