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‘I’m Not Just a Kid Who Did Something Wrong’

A high school football player in Texas became infamous when he did the unthinkable, leveling a referee. With grace from the ref, the player is seeking a new start.

Emmanuel Durón, 19, in his bedroom in Edinburg, Texas.Credit...Verónica G. Cárdenas for The New York Times

EDINBURG, Texas — Emmanuel Durón, 19, was scheduled to leave for college last Friday. A surprise pool party was arranged to send him off to restore a ruined football career. But the trade school he plans to attend in Atlanta was still trying to secure a field for its inaugural season.