WATCH: Duke star Kimari Robinson swats away female trainer tending to teammate’s injury, sparks controversy as former NFL quarterback calls him out

Duke Blue Devils cornerback Kimari Robinson drew serious flak from fans online after having a physical encounter with a female trainer on the field. The incident that occurred during a game between the Duke and the visiting North Carolina Tar Heels at the Wallace Wade Stadium had gone viral on social media. Duke lost the game 24-20.

During the third quarter of the game, with about seven minutes left, Duke player Dashwan Stone got injured while trying to tackle Jaylen McGill. While two medics attended to Stone on the Turf, a concerned Robinson stood over him assessing the injury.

Later, a female trainer, Grace Dietrich came running towards the two and tried to move Robinson out of the way. Robinson reacted immediately by swatting her hand away, a move that had since sparked controversy. Dietrich looked stunned by Robinson’s reaction. Another medic, who had been crouching on the field, looked up at Robinson with a similar shocked look.

Robert Griffin III calls out Robinson

Among a slew of fans calling out Robinson for his behaviour was also former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III. Griffin reacted to the viral clip with a post on social media. He said, “As a man this just cannot happen”. Griffin further said that there was no excuse for what Robinson did.

Several fans slammed Robinson’s action

A number of football fans took to social media to criticise Robinson’s actions with the female trainer. With the videos of the incident receiving millions of views, a number of people had to offer their opinions. A fan tagged Duke and wrote, this can’t happen. The fan further added, “He needs to listen to her and know where he should be. If not, where is the line?”

Another fan asked for Robinson to be benched for a couple of games adding that he needed to be forced to go through emergency training again. The fan asked what would have happened if Robinson accidentally connected and gave her a concussion. “He’s a punk, and Duke better make sure he learns a lesson from this,” another fan said.

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A fan argued that a player should not have been there, and Robinson should have let the medical staff do their job, they added that, “She is clearly just trying to make room to do her job”. Several fans called for Robinson to be suspended over the incident.

However, some fans defended Robinson’s heat of the moment action. One fan said, “I get your point, but the emotions of a kid when someone as close as family is hurting and does isn’t a thing to be dismissed either”. The fan further said that both the female trainer and Robinson care for the downed Stone,

Another fan told people to imagine their best friend was on the ground receiving medical attention and you are trying to make sure he is good. The fan further added, “This is just emotions, do not judge his character because of this”.

“I don’t blame him for his reaction, that’s his guy…That said, if she’s the head trainer and needs space, gotta back up but she should’ve used her words instead of putting hands on him,” another fan said.

Despite the injury and a stretcher being called to the field, Stone was able to walk off the field on his own.