College Football Referee Hospitalized After Being Shot with Cannon in Game

A football referee in Maine was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after being hit in the face by a cannon blast during Saturday's game between Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Maine Maritime Academy, according to Steve Gardner of USA Today.

Video posted by News Center Maine showed the referee moving his hands toward his head before falling to the ground:

The nature of the referee's injuries was not disclosed.

Per Gardner, Maine Maritime Academy typically celebrates a score by firing a cannon loaded with a blank shotgun shell. However, on this occasion, an alumnus brought his own cannon and filled it with black powder while making a "wad."

The Hancock County Sheriff's department is investigating the incident and will forward its findings to the district attorney's office, with criminal charges a possibility.

Maine Maritime Academy scored three touchdowns in the game, all in the second half. The Mariners wound up dropping the game 42-21.