Semi-pro football player accused of seriously injuring referee at unruly NY game

Semi-pro football player accused of referee attack

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A semi-professional football player has been charged with slamming a referee in the face with his helmet at the end of an unruly game in upstate New York.

Police say 23-year-old Leon Woods, of Rochester, was arrested late Tuesday and charged with first-degree assault in Saturday’s attack on referee Pete McCabe.

Defense attorney Joe Dinolfo entered a not guilty plea Wednesday for his client, who was jailed on $10,000 cash bail.

The 54-year-old McCabe needs surgery for his broken nose, jaw and other bones in his face.

Witnesses say McCabe was attacked at a Rochester park by a player on the losing side who was wearing Woods’ number. Two other players on his team were ejected after a fight. His team, the Western New York Cougars, lost the game.

(This version restores dropped words to CORRECT that the client, not the lawyer, was jailed.)