Duke Player Faces Calls To Be Cut After Swatting At Female Athletic Trainer

A frightening moment during Duke’s football game against North Carolina has sparked a separate controversy over one player’s response to a member of the medical staff. Defensive back Kimari Robinson is facing criticism after appearing to swat away a female athletic trainer’s arm as she approached his injured teammate, Dashawn Stone.

The clip has drawn reactions from fans, coaches and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III. While some viewers defended Robinson as a player worried about his teammate, others called for Duke to remove him from the team.

Kimari Robinson’s Exchange With Athletic Trainer Goes Viral

According to The Big Lead’s report, the incident unfolded during Duke’s October 17 matchup against the visiting North Carolina Tar Heels at Wallace Wade Stadium. Robinson was standing over Stone, who was down on the field, when the athletic trainer approached to help. As she attempted to move Robinson aside so the medical team could reach his teammate, he appeared to swipe at her arm.

The brief exchange quickly circulated online. The video of the incident has now surpassed two million views.

Criticism centered on Robinson’s reaction toward someone trying to provide care. Some commenters questioned whether concern for his teammate could explain the response, while others argued that medical personnel needed immediate space to work.

Robert Griffin III Says There Are ‘No Excuses’

Griffin was among the prominent voices calling out Robinson after the footage spread. “As a man, this just can’t happen,” the former NFL quarterback wrote on X. “No excuses for it.”

Coach Kevin Kelley also shared the video and directed his criticism at Duke’s football program. “This, @DukeFOOTBALL can’t happen,” he wrote. “Check out the 7-9 second mark where the female athletic trainer tries to get the player hovering to move so she can help and he swings his arm at her. He needs to listen to her and know where he should be. If not where is the line?”

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Some Viewers Call For Duke To Cut Robinson

Several social media users wanted consequences extending beyond criticism. One post demanded that Robinson be cut immediately, while another argued that the trainer had a clear reason to be on the field and needed room to do her job.

A user echoed calls to keep Robinson off the field. “Completely agree. You never mess with the athletic trainers,” they said. “Dude should not be allowed to play another down for this team.”

An athletic trainer also weighed in with a warning to players. “Athletes take note: Never, I mean never, do this to an athletic trainer trying to attend to an injured player on the field,” they wrote.

No disciplinary decision from Duke has been announced at the time of publication.

Others Say Concern For His Teammate Matters

Not everyone watching the clip believed Robinson should be judged solely by those few seconds. Some users argued that seeing an injured teammate on the ground could have triggered an emotional reaction, even as the trainer was trying to help. “I get your point, but the emotions of a kid when someone as close as family is hurting and down isn’t a thing to dismiss either. They both obviously care for the down player,” one commenter wrote.

Another urged viewers to consider the relationship between teammates before making broader conclusions about Robinson. “Imagine your best friend on the ground receiving medical attention and you tryna make sure he’s good,” they said. “This is just emotion; do not judge his character because of this.”

Duke Falls To North Carolina After Late Touchdown

Duke’s afternoon ended with a 24-20 loss after North Carolina snatched back the lead late in the fourth quarter. The Blue Devils had erased a 17-0 deficit and moved ahead 20-17, but a 24-yard touchdown run by Jaylen McGill put the Tar Heels back in front.

A late interception ended Duke’s comeback hopes and returned the Victory Bell to North Carolina.

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