SAN ANTONIO -- John Jay football returned to the field for the first time after a violent referee hit made national headlines.
John Jay fans lined the bleachers, cheering on a team seeking redemption in the national spotlight.
"To the fans it's something big. To the players, I think it's even bigger," said Jacob Esparza, a John Jay fan whose son plays on the freshman football team.
One week ago the world watched in shock as two players took vigilante justice on a referee, blindsiding him with a vicious hit in retaliation for what they saw as poor play calling.
The disturbing video went viral, prompting hundreds of angry emails and calls to the school district, putting the safety of the game into question, and forcing administrators to line the stadium with police officers.
"We can't take a chance," said Northside Independent School District spokesman Pascual Gonzalez. "If you have any kind of a threat, you have to act on it."
But in the glare of the national media spotlight, the game played like any other.
To fans, the game was a sign the hit seen round the world may one day fade away, and they can get back to watching football.
"The boys, the two, will have to deal with what they have to deal with," said Esparza. "As far as the rest of the football team, I think they'll be okay."
The two players involved in the incident have been temporarily reassigned to Northside Alternative High School while the school district considers punishment.
Administrators said they'll either stay there or be expelled, but will not return to John Jay.
