Referee slips and fractures East Carolina defensive back David Coleman Jr's leg

A referee accidentally fractured East Carolina defensive back David Coleman Jr's leg during the first half of East Carolina Pirates' game against Temple Owls at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium on 1 November 2026. The collision occurred when an official slipped and slid into Coleman Jr near the 40-yard line.

Coleman Jr was standing on the field with teammates between plays when the official ran in to address something near the 40-yard line. As the official approached the players from behind he slipped and slid into Coleman Jr, who fell forward to the ground.

Coleman Jr remained on the turf before eventually being helped from the field by two team members, who carried him so he did not have to put weight on his injured leg.

East Carolina coach Blake Harrell later confirmed Coleman Jr had an X-ray at half-time which showed he fractured his fibula during the incident. "Our thoughts and our prayers are with him. But that's just one of those things. Kind of wild it happens, I'd never seen that from an official," said Blake.

East Carolina won the game 17-9. Coleman Jr recorded one tackle during the match before he left the field.