Rochester, N.Y. -- Police have arrested a man in connection with an assault on a football referee. They charged Leon Woods, 23, of Rochester, with two counts of first-degree assault. He was arrested late Tuesday night on Empire Boulevard.
They say Woods, a member of the Western New York Cougars team, allegedly struck Pete McCabe in the face with his football helmet after a game on Saturday.
McCabe suffered a fractured skull and a broken nose--every bone in his face was broken, in fact.
Leon Woods wore #43 on his jersey according to statements that led police to him.
"He swung his helmet like a weapon; it was like a roundhouse punch," said one ref who was interviewed after Saturday's game.
Another referee at the game that night said #43 on the Western New York Cougars team then walked by McCabe holding the helmet and said, “This is what I'm all about.”
It was photo line up that led police to Woods who pleaded not guilty to first degree assault.
Outside the courtroom, 13WHAM News spoke with his attorney who sees it differently.
"Our intention was to turn ourselves in, and the RPD got there at his work and arrested him,” defense attorney Joe DiNolfo said.
"He should have just manned up and said, ‘I made a mistake,’ and dealt with it, but to make it go this long—it’s just not right," said Pete McCabe III, the victim’s son.
The senior McCabe is scheduled for reconstruction surgery on Friday. His recovery is expected to be a long one. His jaw will be wired shut and he'll need dental work as well.
Yet his family is grateful; if he'd taken the hit to the side of the head, he might have died.
Woods is being held in the Monroe County Jail. Bail is set at $10,000.
