College Basketball Coach Handcuffed After Game Considers Legal Action
Tuskegee University men's basketball coach Benjy Taylor is considering legal action after being handcuffed by police officers following a college basketball game on Saturday. The incident has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about security protocols and police conduct at sporting events.
Post-Game Incident Leads to Coach's Detention
According to statements from civil rights attorney Harry Daniels' office, the situation unfolded during post-game handshakes when Coach Taylor became concerned that Morehouse football players were "acting aggressively" toward Tuskegee players and their parents. The presence of football players at the basketball game reportedly violated conference-mandated security protocols designed to prevent exactly this type of confrontation.
Taylor approached a second officer on the scene to request enforcement of these security protocols, hoping to diffuse the escalating situation. Instead of addressing the security breach, the officer responded by handcuffing Taylor and escorting him from the court in full view of players, families, and spectators.
Legal Team Condemns 'Disgusting' Treatment
Although Taylor was not charged with any offense, he has retained a legal team including attorneys Harry Daniels, Gregory Reynald Williams, and Gerald Griggs. The attorneys have confirmed they are actively considering a civil lawsuit against the involved parties.
"It would be bad for a police officer to treat anyone like this," Daniels stated emphatically. "But to do it to a man like Coach Taylor, a highly respected professional and role model, to put him in handcuffs, humiliate him and treat him like a criminal in front of his team, his family and a gym full of fans is absolutely disgusting and they need to be held accountable."
University Leadership Backs Coach's Actions
Tuskegee University president Mark Brown and athletic director Reginald Ruffin issued a strong statement supporting their coach's conduct during the incident. They expressed pride in Taylor's commitment to both the athletes under his care and the institution's core values.
"During the events in question, Coach Taylor acted solely out of his fundamental responsibility to protect his student-athletes and staff — particularly in an environment where agreed-upon and customary game‑management and security protocols were not properly carried out," the statement read. "His conduct remained measured, professional, and entirely consistent with the expectations of a head coach entrusted with the safety of his team."
Conference Takes Action Against Morehouse
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has already taken disciplinary action, fining Morehouse College an undisclosed amount for failing to meet mandated conference safety standards. This penalty underscores the seriousness with which the conference views the security protocol violations that contributed to Saturday's incident.
Morehouse College has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the incident or the subsequent fine. The lack of immediate response leaves unanswered questions about how football players came to be present at the basketball game despite clear conference rules prohibiting their attendance.
The situation continues to develop as Taylor's legal team evaluates their options, with potential implications for how security is managed at collegiate sporting events across the country.
