New Jersey High School Wrestler Sues After Controversial Championship Disqualification Amidst Wild Brawl

Anthony Knox Jr. is taking legal action following a chaotic fight at the NJ District 25 Wrestling Tournament held at Collingswood High School. This brawl led to his disqualification and put an abrupt end to his high school wrestling career.

Knox, a three-time New Jersey state wrestling champion, has sued the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) after they banned him due to his involvement in the altercation. He asserted that he rushed into the crowd because he saw his father surrounded by hostile opposing fans.

“I saw my family being surrounded,” Knox Jr. shared. “And I’ve always lived by the motto that family is over everything.”

Videos from the incident show a chaotic scene in the stands toward the end of the tournament. The Knox family claims the fight started when opposing fans began yelling insults, including racial slurs, at them and their team.

Anthony Knox Sr., Knox Jr.’s father, commented on the situation, stating, “I walked up into the stands and asked the guy to stop. At that point, I was assaulted. I never threw a punch or hurt anyone.” He described being pushed down the bleachers amid the chaos, expressing concern for his safety.

Debra, Knox Jr.’s mother, noted that the tensions escalated throughout the day and pointed out that no one tried to intervene before the fight broke out. Video footage on social media allegedly shows Knox Jr. getting involved in the melee and being escorted away in handcuffs by the police.

A virtual court hearing is set for Thursday morning to address the case. The family’s attorney, Patrick Jennings, stated their goal is to achieve what they believe was denied by the NJSIAA: fair treatment and due process.

The lawsuit claims that the chaotic environment was due to unruly fans unrelated to the Knox family and that school officials failed to ensure a safe setting for the tournament. It also criticized the investigation led by NJSIAA Executive Director Colleen Maguire for lacking transparency and fairness.

Knox Jr.’s complaint expresses that he did not violate any NJSIAA rules and argues that his disqualification caused him significant harm. He seeks to overturn the disqualification so he can compete in future tournaments.

The NJSIAA has not commented on the lawsuit yet. Maguire previously stated that this decision was not taken lightly, acknowledging the impact on Knox Jr.’s final year as a high school athlete.

Currently, Knox Jr. attends St. John Vianney Prep School and is set to join Cornell University’s wrestling team this fall. Cornell’s wrestling coach, Mike Grey, mentioned he had spoken with Knox Jr. about the incident and reassured him that he wouldn’t lose his spot on the team. He described the conversation as challenging but emphasized his focus on supporting his athletes.

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