KVOA

Posted: Jun 21, 2009 10:10 PM
Updated: Dec 22, 2009 4:00 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI - Hammerhead's defensive lineman Eli Abraham, who was arrested Saturday after police say he hit a referee, is out of jail Sunday on a $1,000 bond.

However, officials said he could be facing more problems.

During the game, Abraham was kicked out of the game in the first quarter, but he never left, and he never took his pads off. Then, in the second quarter, he ran back on the field, argued, then ultimately punched Referee Joel Hilliard.

Hilliard was down on the ground for nearly a minute.

Abraham had to be physically removed, and play was haulted for more than five minutes.

In addition, teammates are backing Abraham 100 percent, but they do not condone his actions.

"Oh, I'm going to stand by him 100 percent. Nobody is perfect but he is my teammate," linebacker Johnny Anderson said.

"Personally, I am comfortable with it. As far as him being in the locker room, that's a whole other story. It's a team and a coaches thing, as far as having a discussion about that," receiver Shuyler Anderson said.

"Football is never a girls sport. You know it's physical and then arena football is like three times as physical. So, you have those things like ejections and fights. It comes with the territory," Johnny said.

"If I were a league official not looking at the personal side, he probably wouldn't be allowed to play again. That's one of those things they now have to determine on whether or not he can ever again step on the field for us," Shuyler said.

Currently, neither his teammates, coaches or team Owner Chad Dittman have been able to reach him, and no action by the team or league have been made.

Online Reporter: Tyler Garrett