SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A former Crawford High School football player is facing a $1 million lawsuit from a referee.
The referee, John Herlich, was injured during a 2015 game and believes it was done on purpose. He alleges a former football player, Jason Srouy, had a history of unsportsmanlike conduct known and encouraged by the coaching staff.
Srouy says he was playing wide receiver during the game, tasked with blocking the opposing cornerback. During the block, he says the opposing player fell onto the back of the referee's legs, injuring the official.
Herlich is also suing the San Diego Unified School District.
Srouy says after learning of the lawsuit a school official led his family to believe the district would help him; however that was not the case.
“Injustice, I don’t like injustice. This was a situation where Jason was being railroaded," said Michael Kielty, who's now representing Srouy. “Unfortunately it was just an accident that occurred, and a lawsuit's been filed, so Jason has to deal with it on his own because the school district is not stepping in to defend him.”
Srouy now has a Go Fund Me page to cover legal expenses mounting since March.
“It wasn’t on purpose, it was an accident, I didn’t mean to hurt anybody," said Srouy.
Srouy and his attorney say they do not know why the plaintiff believes Srouy had a history of unsportsmanlike conduct.
A spokesperson with SDUSD tells 10News they do not comment on pending litigation.
The attorney for Herlich did not return calls for comment.
The San Diego County Football Officials Association tells 10News Herlich is no longer a member of their organization. A spokesperson says while they train and certify officials, they still operate as independent contractors.
