ATLANTA, Ga. — In an unexpected turn of events at a Division II college basketball game on Saturday, Tuskegee University coach Benjy Taylor was escorted off the court in handcuffs following a confrontation with a security officer.
The incident occurred during the post-game handshake line after Tuskegee’s loss to Morehouse College, raising questions about security protocols and the treatment of coaches during athletic events.
Tuskegee Coach Incident Details: Handcuffing and Security Confrontation Explained
Video footage obtained by HBCU Gameday shows Coach Taylor being led away in handcuffs.
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The situation began when Taylor confronted a security officer regarding Morehouse football players’ presence in the handshake line, which was against protocol and he perceived as a potential security threat, reports USA Today. Taylor’s frustration was evident, but the video does not show any physical aggression towards the officer.
Taylor later expressed his dismay to The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, stating, “I am at a loss for words and I am upset about how I was violated and treated today. For my players, my family and people of Tuskegee to witness that is heartbreaking for me.”
Security Breach and Conflicting Reports in Tuskegee Coach Incident
Tuskegee athletic director Reginald Ruffin provided further insight, describing the incident as a “security breach” after a group of Morehouse football players intermingled with the basketball teams, reports Yahoo Sports. According to Ruffin, Taylor’s actions were reasonable as he requested the removal of the football players from the handshake line. However, the security officer perceived Taylor as “very aggressive” and cited this as the reason for the handcuffing.
Ruffin contested the officer’s account, insisting that Taylor’s demeanor was not as portrayed.
Legal Actions and Tuskegee University’s Official Response
Following the incident, Taylor has retained national civil rights attorney Harry Daniels to explore potential legal action. Daniels emphasized that Taylor’s intentions were to ensure the safety of his players against aggressive behavior from Morehouse’s football team members.
Tuskegee President Dr. Mark A. Brown issued a statement in strong support of Taylor, asserting, “During the events in question, Coach Taylor acted solely out of his fundamental responsibility to protect his student-athletes and staff,” reports Hoop Dirt.
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Brown criticized the handling of the situation, deeming it inconsistent with standard collegiate athletic protocols.
