The XFL Championship Game came to a sudden halt on Saturday night after a brutal collision with a photographer on the sidelines. The incident, which involved DC Defenders receiver Josh Hammond, led to a delay of more than 10 minutes.
Tony Morano, the photographer in question, was hit hard by Hammond following a pass from quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. The Arlington Renegades were facing the DC Defenders at the time of the incident with just two minutes left in the first half. The game was held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Immediately after the collision, medical personnel rushed to Morano’s aid. Players from both teams knelt next to him, reflecting the concern shared by all present at the scene. He was eventually taken off the field on a medical cart.
Despite the incident, the game resumed and the Arlington Renegades emerged victorious, defeating the DC Defenders 35-26 to claim the XFL Championship.
According to Chuck Miketinac From Fox San Antonio (KABB), Morano was released from the hospital the next morning.
“Photographer Tony Morano is doing better today after taking a hit in last night’s XFL Championship. Tony says he was released from the hospital this morning, X-rays and scans were all negative but he does have a minor concussion. Great photographer, even better dude!”
These types of accidents are not uncommon in football, raising concerns about the safety measures in place. The collision was clearly an accident, and no party was at fault. However, it did bring to the forefront the need for a larger spatial barrier between the field of play and photographers, as well as other media personnel. This improvement could enhance safety for everyone involved, preventing such incidents from recurring and ensuring the focus remains solely on the game.
Unleash the Action: Sign up for XFL Insider and Fuel Your Passion for Football!
