A high school wrestler opted to have his dreadlocks cut off in order to be able to compete in a match after a referee gave him the ultimatum. A statement from the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) says the referee will not be assigned to any event until the matter has been reviewed more thoroughly.
Now, the incident is under investigation as the referee faces accusations of racism.
Video taken on Wednesday of the wrestler’s choice to avoid forfeiting the match has since gone viral. It shows Buena Regional High School student Andrew Johnson stoically submitting to the impromptu haircut.