# Wrestler with dreadlocks forced to cut them off before competing **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 23, 2018, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552 "2018-12-23T00:20:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/1 "2018-12-23T00:20:24Z")
This story is all over the news right now. (Distraction, anybody?) Anyway, people are having all kinds of opinions about this; personally, I have a feeling that it was a potential safety issue and that’s why it was done, and that racism (the young man is black) was NOT a factor. > **[A varsity wrestler was told to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit the match. Now...](https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/22/us/wrestler-dreadlocks-new-jersey-investigation/index.html)** > > The New Jersey Division of Civil Rights is investigating an incident at a high school wrestling match this week in which a referee told a black wrestler to cut off his dreadlocks or forfeit the match. What do y’all who know about wrestling have to say about it? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/2 "2018-12-23T00:33:16Z")
From the link. > [@](#): > > According to the NFHS wrestling rule book, a wrestler’s hair cannot fall below the top of a shirt collar in the back, below his earlobes on the sides, or below his eyebrows. That’s the rule book that covers all high school sports in the country. From the photo, the dreads loo9k long enough to provide a handle for the opponent or they could be used to distract the opponent. Personally, I blame the coach for not knowing the rule book well enough to address this with the athlete before competition. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/3 "2018-12-23T00:36:04Z")
Apparently what _usually_ happens is that the athlete is allowed to use a hairnet, which is allowed by the rule book. ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/4 "2018-12-23T00:49:20Z")
1. The rule book says the wrestlers can use a hair cover, which the young man had. The referee said it wasn’t acceptable, despite the coaches arguing otherwise. 2. It’s not like the student’s hair grew significantly throughout the wrestling season. Why was it an issue all of a sudden? 3. The referee has a history of using racial slurs and being forced to attend sensitivity training. 4. Girls wrestle with long hair all the time. As long as a cover is used, it’s not a safety issue. Conclusion: racist fuck who should be banned from the sport. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/5 "2018-12-23T03:03:22Z")
I wrestled in high school. There were rules about the length of hair allowed. There was a rule about facial hair as well; I actually had to run to the locker room and shave before one match or I would not be allowed to wrestle. My shave-or-don’t-wrestle ultimatum did not attract media attention. mmm ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/6 "2018-12-23T03:38:40Z")
Hard to be 100% certain, but the “rulebook” allows for a hair cover, and it appears like the hair cover was within the rules. Unless some really extenuating circumstances come to light, the ref should get barred from officiating ever again. Kudo to the wrestler. He let his hair be rough cut and then he wrestled and won his match, ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/7 "2018-12-23T03:59:41Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > There was a rule about facial hair as well; I actually had to run to the locker room and shave before one match or I would not be allowed to wrestle. You were harshly treated. Enforcement seems to be [inconsistent](https://www.sescoops.com/hulk-hogan-attends-wwe-charity/). ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/8 "2018-12-23T04:33:46Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > Kudo to the wrestler. He let his hair be rough cut and then he wrestled and won his match, Only one kudo? Stingy. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/9 "2018-12-23T04:43:54Z")
I had not heard about the referee being racist. Makes sense about this, however. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/10 "2018-12-23T11:36:08Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Only one kudo? Stingy. It is only 6 am but I predict this will be the most amusing thing I encounter today. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/11 "2018-12-27T18:14:52Z")
Updates: [New Jersey High School to Avoid Events With Referee Who Told Wrestler to Cut Dreadlocks](https://www.si.com/more-sports/2018/12/27/referee-wrestler-cut-dreadlocks-avoid-alan-maloney-events-buena-regional-high-school) [Family of wrestler forced to cut dreads won’t seek legal action New Jersey’s athletic association said the referee would be suspended until the incident is reviewed.](https://www.abc10.com/article/news/nation-world/family-of-wrestler-forced-to-cut-dreads-wont-seek-legal-action/103-625037780) [WRESTLER ANDREW JOHNSON ‘IN PRETTY GOOD SPIRITS’ … Still Weighing Legal Options](https://www.tmz.com/2018/12/27/andrew-johnson-family-legal-options-haircut-wrestling-lawsuit/?vtest=100) (“There are reports the family has already decided not to pursue legal action over the incident … but sources with direct knowledge say those reports are inaccurate.”) ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/12 "2018-12-27T18:27:01Z")
Let’s see. I can either keep my hair the way or like it, or let some racist asshole cut it so I can roll around on the floor with some sweaty, smelly guy… ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/13 "2018-12-27T18:52:36Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Let’s see. I can either keep my hair the way or like it, or let some racist asshole cut it so I can roll around on the floor with some sweaty, smelly guy… I would have to see the guy, first. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/14 "2018-12-27T19:14:30Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I wrestled in high school. So did I, but there was never room for a official in the back of the car. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/15 "2018-12-28T01:56:50Z")
[The ref will not be working in the district again.](https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/jersey-school-board-calls-emergency-meeting-high-school-60018755) ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/16 "2019-09-18T23:40:43Z")
He has been [suspended for two years](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/highschool/2019/09/18/wrestler-dreadlocks-controversy-new-jersey-referee-suspended-two-years/2367239001/) from officiating in any matches under the auspices of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/17 "2019-09-19T00:33:22Z")
A sort-of related story; A [female high school swimmer in Alaska was disqualified](https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/11/us/high-school-swimsuit-disqualified-alaska-trnd/index.html) because of the way her swimsuit covered her butt. Note that the swimsuit was the one issued by the school. (The disqualification was later overturned.) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/18 "2019-09-19T01:16:39Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > A sort-of related story; A [female high school swimmer in Alaska was disqualified](https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/11/us/high-school-swimsuit-disqualified-alaska-trnd/index.html) because of the way her swimsuit covered her butt. Note that the swimsuit was the one issued by the school. (The disqualification was later overturned.) And her uniform was identical in style to her teammates’. It just fit her body differently. It is of note that he was the only non-white competitor. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestler-with-dreadlocks-forced-to-cut-them-off-before-competing/826552/19 "2019-09-19T04:07:13Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > This story is all over the news right now. (Distraction, anybody?)… What do you suppose CNN is distracting us from?