Olympian slams referee who forced wrestler to cut off dreadlocks or forfeit
/ CBS/AP
An Olympic champion wrestler has reached out to a New Jersey high school wrestler who had his dreadlocks cut off right before his match after a referee told him to lose the hairstyle or forfeit his bout. Jordan Burroughs, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist and four-time world champion, posted and spoke on social media early Saturday about the incident.
"Now, let me tell you how sickening this is. I've been wrestling for 25 years, at every level, and I have never once seen a person required to cut their hair during a match. This is nonsense," he said in a series of tweets.
As heroic as it was for Andrew to step up in the midst of what was happening, it shouldn't have got that far. The parents and coaches of the Buena wrestling team should have intervened. This young man should have been protected in this moment. I'm sure his hair was a strong part
— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) December 22, 2018
of his identity, and no single victory is worth succumbing to the pressure of unjust oppression and the unwarranted stripping of that identity. Just watch Andrew's emotion after the match clinching takedown –he was somber, knowing that he had just given up so much for so little.
— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) December 22, 2018
High school wrestler Andrew Johnson, who is black, had a cover over his hair, but referee Alan Maloney, who is white, said that wouldn't do.
Johnson went on to win Wednesday's match but appeared visibly distraught. Burroughs drew attention to his demeanor, saying, "He was hurting, and that wasn't fair."
Burroughs called Johnson "courageous" for his performance in the match despite "all of the adversity and racism that you were facing in the moment." He said he understood his reasons for agreeing to the haircut, although it might have been "more powerful" to walk away.
Michael Cherenson, spokesman for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, said Saturday the organization had reached out to leagues and conferences that assign referees and "they've all agreed" not to assign Maloney to any event until the matter has been reviewed.
The state attorney general's office has confirmed an investigation by the Division on Civil Rights. The school superintendent said in a letter to the community that they support and stand by all student athletes.
Epitome of a team player ⬇️
A referee wouldn't allow Andrew Johnson of Buena @brhschiefs to wrestle with a cover over his dreadlocks. It was either an impromptu haircut, or a forfeit. Johnson chose the haircut, then won by sudden victory in OT to help spark Buena to a win. pic.twitter.com/f6JidKNKoI
— Mike Frankel (@MikeFrankelSNJ) December 20, 2018
Maloney came under fire in 2016 for using a racial slur against a black referee, according to the Courier Post newspaper. Maloney told the newspaper he did not remember making the comments. After the incident was reported, he agreed to participate in sensitivity training and an alcohol awareness program. A one-year suspension was overturned.
A woman answering the phone at a listed number for Maloney said the ordeal is being blown out of proportion and the referee was simply following rules.
Burroughs said he hoped to be in touch with Johnson soon and promised to send him "a few cool things for Christmas."
First published on December 22, 2018
© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Olympian slams ref who demanded wrestler's dreadlocks cut
"I've been wrestling for 25 years, at every level, and I have never once seen a person required to cut their hair during a match," Burroughs said
updated 5M ago 
Government partially shuts down amid border wall fight
President Trump has insisted he will not sign any spending bill that did not include $5 billion for a border wall
updated 21M ago 
High school wrestler forced to cut off dreadlocks or forfeit match
Andrew Johnson, a wrestler at Buena Regional High School, opted to cut his hair and compete
updated 21M ago 
University Of Maryland confirms 40 adenovirus cases
One student at the university has been hospitalized with the illness
1H ago 
Rockefeller Center Christmas trees get second life
For the last 12 years, the tree gets milled down for boards that are brought to a special building site
2H ago 
Government partially shuts down amid border wall fight
President Trump has insisted he will not sign any spending bill that did not include $5 billion for a border wall
updated 21M ago 
Top U.S. envoy in ISIS fight resigns
Brett McGurk, envoy for coalition to defeat ISIS, resigns over Trump's sudden decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria
updated 23M ago 
Russia’s U.N. envoy on U.S. relations: "We don't want to be loved," just "respected"
"We want a dialogue on issues which are important," said Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia
3H ago 
Government officially enters partial shutdown
Both the House and Senate adjourned for the night without coming to a deal
5H ago 
420K employees will go without pay during government shuts down
Even a partial closure would force a huge number of federal workers to stay on the clock without earning a dime
13H ago 
Top U.S. envoy in ISIS fight resigns
Brett McGurk, envoy for coalition to defeat ISIS, resigns over Trump's sudden decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria
updated 23M ago
Russia’s U.N. envoy on U.S. relations: "We don't want to be loved," just "respected"
"We want a dialogue on issues which are important," said Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia
3H ago 
2 arrested in connection drones that disrupted airport flights
The Friday night flight suspension at Gatwick caused still more delays and cancellations just as the holiday travel season peaked
15H ago 
"El Chapo" reduced to tears as daughters wave to their father
The Brooklyn trial of accused Mexican drug cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman wrapped up its sixth week Thursday
20H ago 
World powers vote in bid to bring peace to Yemen
The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Friday to pass a resolution
22H ago 
Meet the artist who put a realistic spin on superheroes
Alex Ross has been called the Norman Rockwell of comics, putting his imprint on Superman, Spiderman, Aquaman and Captain America
updated 43M ago 
Success for composer Philip Glass didn't come quick
Some of Philip Glass' early audiences threw things like eggs and tomatoes at him
updated 21M ago 
How to watch these favorite holiday movies
Here's how to watch Christmas specials on TV or your streaming device
20H ago 
"Beverly Hills, 90210" making comeback with "untraditional reboot”
Some of the original "Beverly Hills, 90210" cast members are reportedly making a return to the show
22H ago 
Actress linked to "El Chapo" says Sean Penn betrayed her
Mexican authorities investigated del Castillo following the secret meeting she arranged with Sean Penn and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in 2015
Dec 21 
Why some parents are banning "smart toys" this Christmas
Parents are realizing that it's not just Santa who's keeping tabs on their kids
2H ago 
Astronaut remembers Apollo 8 mission: "How did we ever do that?"
Fifty years ago, a Saturn V rocket roared off a launch pad carrying humans for the first time on a journey to the moon
18H ago 
Welcome to winter solstice, the shortest day of 2018
The solstice gets an entire day of recognition, but it actually happens in an instant
Dec 21 
In esports, players burn out young
"It's a whole other level of stress," one player told us. By their mid-20s, many have burned out
Dec 21 
Experts: Don't send sensitive info on Facebook Messenger
"I would not trust Facebook with any of my information in a million years," one cybersecurity expert told CBS News
Dec 20 
University Of Maryland confirms 40 adenovirus cases
One student at the university has been hospitalized with the illness
1H ago 
164,000 pounds of raw ground turkey products recalled
"Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them"
4H ago 
Stem cell shots tied to bacterial infections
At least 12 patients in three states became infected after getting injections for problems like joint and back pain, the CDC reports
20H ago 
What Ruth Bader Ginsburg's lung surgery means
The Supreme Court Justice underwent surgery to remove two cancerous nodules from her lung
4H ago 
FDA warns about teething jewelry after baby dies
The toddler was reportedly strangled by his amber teething necklace during a nap
22H ago 
420K employees will go without pay during government shuts down
Even a partial closure would force a huge number of federal workers to stay on the clock without earning a dime
13H ago 
The tax law is 1 year old — here are the winners and losers
President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly a year ago — so has it lived up to its billing?
18H ago 
Salvation Army's "Red Kettle" donations lag in digital age
Money raised in the iconic charity campaign is falling as foot traffic wanes at stores and people forgo cash
22H ago 
Ford recalls nearly 900,000 F-150 pickups after fires
Automaker says engine block heater cables need to be replaced in vehicles sold in U.S. and Canada
Dec 21 
Juul workers get $2B bonus from tobacco giant investment
Electronic cigarette startup opts to rewards its 1,500 workers after Altria purchases a 35 percent stake
Dec 21 
"El Chapo" reduced to tears as daughters wave to their father
The Brooklyn trial of accused Mexican drug cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman wrapped up its sixth week Thursday
20H ago 
Unsealed documents reveal new details about Mollie Tibbetts investigation
Four men were the subject of police interest at times during the five-week search for the Iowa student, the AP reports
Dec 20 
Deputy kills family, confesses over radio before turning gun on himself
The Florida school officer killed three relatives including his granddaughter, 6, before killing himself, sheriff says
Dec 19 
Redskins safety charged with assault for fight caught on video
Police say Montae Nicholson and his girlfriend were involved in an argument that escalated into a physical assault
Dec 19 
Senate passes bipartisan criminal justice bill
Senate voted Tuesday night to approve a sweeping criminal justice overhaul supported by President Trump
Dec 19 Original Article
