Duke Player Apologizes After Trainer Contact Incident

Duke cornerback Kimari Robinson apologized after video showed him swatting away a female athletic trainer’s arm as she tried to reach injured teammate DaShawn Stone during Duke’s 24-20 loss to North Carolina. Robinson said he was worried Stone might be seriously hurt but acknowledged that his concern did not excuse his behavior; Stone later walked off the field under his own power. Coach Manny Diaz said Robinson’s conduct fell well below the program’s standards and would be handled internally, but did not disclose whether discipline would follow. The incident prompted widespread criticism and calls for suspension, though some viewers defended Robinson as emotional and concerned for his teammate.