Photo: Twitter/Mike Frankel/SNJ Today
In case you’ve been living under a rock over the past week and a half, one of the biggest stories in media has been about a black high school wrestler was told by a white referee to cut his hair, or he would forfeit his wrestling match. And the whole event was captured on video and has since gone viral.
Andrew Johnson was about to compete in a wrestling competition for Buena Regional High School in New Jersey. Johnson was sporting a cover over his dreadlocks getting ready to wrestle when referee Alan Maloney intervened.
Maloney informed Johnson that his hair cover was not legal and presented him with two options. He could cut off his dreadlocks, or he would forfeit the match.
Johnson decided to cut his hair, but from his body language in the video below, you can tell he was agitated.
Johnson defeated his opponent but was still devastated that he had to cut his hair. When the ref raised his hand after he won Johnson was seemed very disinterested. Johnson’s teammates tried to console him, but it looked like nothing that they said could bring him out of his current mood.
According to TMZ, this is not the first event referee Alan Maloney has been involved in that resulted in racist behavior. In 2016, Maloney used a racial towards a black man during a social gathering, and it caused an altercation.
The man that was in the altercation with Maloney was an African American male and slammed him following the racial slur. Maloney would later apologize for the incident, and the board in New Jersey that oversees high school sports order him to complete a sensitivity course.
Sports Director at SNJ Today News Mike Frankel was on the reporter on scene and tweeted the viral video featuring referee Alan Maloney and Andrew Johnson. Frankel was recently on the Scoop B Podcast with its host Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. The two reporters discussed the latest incident involving the story of South NJ Buena Regional High School wrestler, Andrew Johnson. Also the two dive into the aftermath relation from social media users. The full interview between Robinson and Frankel can be heard here.
About the Author
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
