Duke cornerback Kimari Robinson has apologised after a viral video showed him swatting away a female athletic trainer's arm on the sideline.

The incident sparked online backlash after Robinson swatted the medical staffer's arm away as she tried to reach an injured teammate.

The confrontation occurred on Saturday during the third quarter of Duke's 24–20 loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels in Durham.

Tense Sideline Clash Caught on Camera

The altercation unfolded after Duke safety DaShawn Stone collapsed to the ground with an injury, lying motionless on the turf at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Robinson crouched over his fallen teammate as two members of the medical staff attended to him. A third athletic trainer then approached to reach Stone and appeared to bump into Robinson as she tried to move him aside.

Video footage shared widely across social media shows Robinson reacting in anger, forcibly swatting the female trainer's left arm away as she tried to move him. Though clearly startled, she continued treating the injured player.

Backlash Mounts Over Swatted Medical Staffer

The footage spread rapidly across social media, drawing fierce condemnation from prominent football figures and sports medical professionals.

'This girl is more than half his size and works for the team. He needs to be cut immediately,' one user wrote on X, calling for an NCAA ban for Robinson.

Former NFL quarterback and television analyst Robert Griffin III also called out the gesture on X, writing: 'As a man, this just can't happen. No excuses for it.'

Former football coach Kevin Kelley also criticised the behaviour, sharing a video clip of the altercation online. 'This, @DukeFOOTBALL can't happen. He swings his arm at her. He needs to listen to her and know where he should be. If not, where is the line?' Kelley wrote.

One sports nutritionist echoed the same frustration. 'Athletic trainers are first responders on the field. They stabilize spines, manage concussions, and literally keep players alive,' she wrote.

'They shouldn't have to deal with players swinging on them for clearing space so medical staff can actually treat an injured teammate.'

Meanwhile, other fans defended the junior defensive back, pointing out that players experience intense adrenaline during frightening injuries.

'Teammate down, emotions high, stuff happens in seconds,' one user argued, urging observers to avoid judging a young player during the heat of competition.

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Defensive Back Issues Remorseful Public Statement

Robinson issued a public apology on social media on Sunday night, saying he had already apologised to the trainer in person after the game.

'I want to publicly apologize to the member of our training staff for how I acted toward her,' Robinson wrote. 'I was completely wrong, and she did not deserve that.'

The Florida native explained that terror over Stone's physical condition overwhelmed his judgment on the field.

'The injured player, DaShawn Stone, is like family to me, and I was scared he might be seriously hurt,' Robinson added.

'Being worried about him does not excuse how I treated her. I should have controlled my emotions, and I didn't. I'm truly sorry for my actions and for letting her, myself, and our program down.'

Football Player Recovers From Scary Injury

DaShawn Stone suffered the frightening injury while making a tackle during the third quarter of Duke's rivalry matchup against North Carolina.

The scare was serious enough that medical staff rushed out a cart, backboard, and stretcher. Fortunately, Stone managed to get to his feet and walk off the field on his own.

Duke went on to lose the contest 24–20. Neither Duke University nor the football program immediately responded to requests for comment regarding disciplinary action.

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