A Virginia mom is defending her decision to enter the court during her son’s basketball game.
LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — A Loudoun County mother is defending her decision to step onto the court during a youth basketball game after her son was injured, an incident that was caught on video and has since gone viral online.
The video, viewed more than 2 million times on social media, shows a Northern Virginia youth basketball game escalating as players collide. Near the end of the game, the boy is hit again, shoved off the court and into the stands. Moments later, his mother, Natalie Gramblin, walks onto the court to intervene.
Gramblin said her son suffered a swollen jaw, a gash on his tongue and bruising from the game — injuries she believes could have been prevented if referees had intervened sooner.
“I think there were two hits to the head, face area that weren’t called,” Gramblin said. “The illegal screens that were set, I think they called one.”
Gramblin said referees missed repeated violations throughout the game, including dangerous screens that she believes put players at risk.
“He’s leaning forward and making contact — making sure that he hits them hard and blindsiding them instead of letting them turn and take a step, which is what the rule book says,” she said.
With seconds left on the clock, Gramblin said she feared her son could be hurt again and stepped onto the court.
“I played basketball my entire life and never have I felt the need to run on the court or interject in that way,” she said. “But it was like no one’s stopping this. He’s been doing this the entire game.”
The Farmwell Station Basketball League later ruled the game a double forfeit because of Gramblin’s actions. The player who shoved her son was suspended for two games.
League officials determined that Gramblin entering the court made the playing environment unsafe, a decision she disputes.
“They’re saying that decision for me to come on the court made the situation unsafe,” Gramblin said. “I don’t think I made it unsafe. I think the kid who was actually hurting people made it unsafe.”
Gramblin initially shared the video with friends and family to seek feedback, but it quickly spread beyond her circle. Many commenters have expressed support, while others criticized her actions, fueling a broader debate about safety, refereeing and parental involvement in youth sports.
“These are actual injuries that kids are facing, and it starts with the referees managing the games better,” Gramblin said. “That was my whole premise behind this.”
She said the response underscores what she sees as a lack of serious concern for player safety at young ages.
“They can actually hurt each other now,” she said. “The lack of serious concern at this age is inappropriate.”
Gramblin said she has requested a formal appeal with the league to clarify what the rules say about parental intervention when a child is injured during a game.
Despite the controversy, she said she does not regret stepping in.
Since the video was posted, the family of the other player involved pressed charges and requested a protective order. Those charges have since been dropped, and the case is expected to be in court on Jan. 29.
Loudoun County Public Schools said the game was not affiliated with the school district.
Loudoun County Parks and Recreation offered the following statement:
Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) takes player safety and officiating seriously.
The Department conducted a formal review of the game (Harper Park Middle School vs. Farmwell Station Middle School on Sunday, December 7, 2025), including officiating concerns.
Our findings and the appropriate corrective action were consistent with National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules, our Middle School League Rules, and the PRCS Code of Conduct.