The New Jersey high school wrestler who was forced by a referee to have his dreadlocks cut before a match has returned to competition, according to The Associated Press.
On Saturday, Andrew Johnson competed in his first match since the incident that enraged social media users.
Johnson, who is Black, had his dreadlocks cut a few minutes before his Dec. 19 match after referee Alan Maloney, who is White, said the hair cover Johnson was wearing would not be allowed. Maloney gave Johnson the option to either cut his hair or forfeit the match.
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 (@MikeFrankelJSZ) December 20, 2018
Maloney was fired from the Buena Regional School District over the incident.
“The Staff and administration within the Buena Regional School District will continue to support and stand by all of our students and student-athletes,” said the district’s superintendent, David Cappuccio,
