STATEMENT OF THE PARENTS OF
BUENA REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLER ANDREW JOHNSON
Buena, NJ (December 24, 2018) – Charles and Rosa Johnson, the parents of 16-year-old
Buena Regional High School wrestler Andrew Johnson, who last week was unexpectedly
forced by a referee to have his dreadlocks cut or forfeit his match, today expressed immense,
heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming show of support for their son. Andrew has been
deeply moved by the thunderous outpouring of unsolicited support--including from an
Olympic wrestler, leading civil rights advocates, and elected officials--after the shocking prematch ultimatum.
Dominic A. Speziali, Esq., of the J. Fine Law Group, the family’s
attorney, said that they are awaiting the results of an inquiry by
the N.J. Division of Civil Rights and that the referee’s conduct
appears more egregious as additional information comes to light.
Mr. Speziali stated, “The scholastic wrestling rules clearly state
that referees are to inspect wrestlers’ appearance and determine
any rules violations prior to the start of the meet, typically during
weigh-ins. The referee here was late to the meet and missed
weigh-ins. When he did evaluate Andrew, he failed to raise any
issues with the length of his hair or the need to wear a head
covering.”
He added that the referee later informed Nate Johnson, Andrew’s
younger brother and teammate, that they would both need to
wear a head covering or face disqualification.
As Andrew took to the mat to start his match, the referee
Andrew Johnson—Photo
examined and rejected the head covering he was wearing. In
Courtesy of the Johnson Family
prior matches at a tournament the weekend before, Andrew was
permitted to wrestle without issue, a fact that his coaches conveyed to the referee when
pleading on his behalf. Andrew then requested he be allowed to push his hair back as he did
the weekend prior, but the referee again refused because “it wasn’t in its natural state,”
referring to the dreadlocks as “braids.”
Andrew was visibly shaken after he and his coaches made every effort to satisfy the referee
short of having his hair cut. But, as captured on video, the unyielding referee gave Andrew
90 seconds to either forfeit his match or cut his hair. Under duress but without any influence
from the coaching staff or the athletic trainer, Andrew decided to have his hair cut rather
than forfeit the match.

 “As the trainer is
cutting Andrew’s hair
in the middle of the
gym, the referee is
behind them directing
her to keep cutting until
he was satisfied with
the length,” Speziali
said.
Despite the referee’s
outrageous
conduct,
Andrew and his family
remain committed to
Buena’s
wrestling
program, the athletic
trainer, and his coaches,
who have coached him
since he was 5 years
old.

The Johnson Family (from L to R): Matt, Rosa, Andrew, Nate, Cami, and Charles.
Photo courtesy of the Johnson Family.

“As this matter is further investigated, the family wants to be clear that they are supportive
of Andrew’s coaches and the team’s athletic trainer,” Speziali emphasized. “The blame here
rests primarily with the referee and those that permitted him to continue in that role despite
clear evidence of what should be a disqualifying race-related transgression.”
Charles and Rosa Johnson added, “Wrestling has taught Andrew to be resilient in the face of
adversity. As we move forward, we are comforted by both the strength of Andrew’s character
and the support he’s received from the community. We will do all that we can to make sure
that no student-athlete is forced to endure what Andrew experienced.”
We request that the public and media respect the family's privacy at this time.

Contacts:
Dominic A. Speziali, Esquire
J. FINE LAW GROUP, P.C.
1628 JFK Blvd
Suite 2120
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (267) 888-2960
Direct: (267) 546-0265
Fax:
(267) 687-7018
Website: www.jfinelaw.com