Andrew Johnson of Buena Regional High School was all set to wrestle an opponent from Oakcrest High School this week in New Jersey when he was told he had to change something about himself or risk hurting his team.
Before he could compete Johnson, who is African American, was told by referee Alan Maloney, a Caucasian, that he had to cut off his dreadlocks or forfeit the match. This all happened despite Johnson’s hair being covered at the time.
The rule on hair in high school wrestling is, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations in New Jersey, that if a wrestler’s natural hair extends below the earlobe on the sides of touches the top of a normal shirt, it is required to be secured with a hair cover.