Football player pulls off opponent’s helmet, head-butts him

ARLINGTON, Mass. -- A troubling hit at a high school football game has police looking into filing possible charges.

The incident happened about two weeks ago during an Abington vs. Arlington Catholic game.

An Arlington Catholic player was caught on home video pulling off 16-year-old Daniel Curtin’s helmet and then head-butting him.

The Abington junior spent five hours in the emergency room following the incident.

“My entire jersey was covered in blood, and my whole face was covered in blood,” Curtin said.

Curtin said the player head-butted him after the referee blew the whistle indicating the end of a play.

Curtin’s parents decided to go to Arlington Police.

“It certainly is unusual where an on-field incident during a high school football game rises to the level of police involvement, but we will investigate this case,” said Capt. Robert Bongiorno, of the Arlington Police Department.

A statement from Arlington Catholic read in part, “Disciplinary action was taken against the player, and both the player and his parents took responsibility for the incident.”

The Arlington Catholic player could face assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charges.

A hearing will be scheduled to make that call.

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