A Duke footballplayer was criticized for how he treated a trainer trying to attend to an injured teammate.
The incident happened in the third quarter of the Blue Devils' rivalry game against North Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 17. Dashawn Stone was injured in what looked like a really scary moment, and defensive back Kimari Robinson went up to check in on his teammate.
However, when a trainer came on the field to help, Stone swiped his arm at the staffer, who looked to be shaken by it as she tried to attend to Stone.
This, @DukeFOOTBALL can’t happen. Check out the 7-9 second mark where the female athletic trainer tries to get the player hovering to move so she can help and he swings his arm at her. He needs to listen to her and know where he should
be. If not where is the line? pic.twitter.com/o7VAg4fxlm
— Kevin Kelley (@coachkelley1) October 17, 2026
The clip went viral on social media as people criticized Robinson for treating a staff member like that, especially when trying to do their job.
As a man, this just can’t happen.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 18, 2026
No excuses for it. pic.twitter.com/7yoOUxxaf1
Athletic trainers are first responders on the field. They stabilize spines, manage concussions, and literally keep players alive. They’re still among the least respected and lowest-paid people in the building, and they shouldn’t have to deal with players swinging on them for… https://t.co/HB8vVaRYgv
— Wendi A. Irlbeck MS, RDN, LD, CISSN (@Wendi_Irlbeck) October 18, 2026
He even looked to see who it was and STILL swatted at her. Shes running out to help her out with a possible neck injury (person at the head is stabilizing c spine), so this is an especially concerning moment where the medical staff need full trust and respect.
— Brian Sutterer MD (@BrianSuttererMD) October 18, 2026
Kudos to her for… https://t.co/32atyJe6qc
Anyone who defending the Duke player Kimari Robinson for putting his hands on a female athletic trainer is a coward.
— Armament Haki (@jimmy6m) October 18, 2026
The injury was a significant one, as a stretcher came out for Stone, but he was able to get up and walk off the field on his own power.
Duke lost to North Carolina 24-20 to fall to 4-2.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Duke football player criticized for swiping at trainer: 'Can't happen'
