A University of Alabama at Birmingham football player remains in custody after allegedly stabbing two of his teammates just hours before the team was scheduled to play on Saturday afternoon, according to police reports.
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The violent attack occurred at the UAB Football Operations Center, the team's training facility, on Saturday morning. The Blazers were due to face the South Florida Bulls at Protective Stadium in Birmingham at 3 p.m. ET later that day.
Daniel Mincey, a 20-year-old redshirt freshman, was booked into Jefferson County Jail at 12.40 p.m. on Saturday, according to official records. He faces serious charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder following the altercation.
Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, with Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service confirming that both injured players were transported to UAB Hospital for treatment. University officials have confirmed that both victims are now in stable condition.
University Response and Game Decision
In an official statement to The Independent, a university spokesperson expressed concern for the injured players while confirming the suspect's custody status.
"We're grateful to report that two players injured in an incident this morning at the Football Operations Building are in stable condition," the statement read. "Our thoughts are with them and their families as they recover. The suspect – another player – remains in custody, and an investigation is taking place."
Despite the shocking pre-game incident, the team made the collective decision to proceed with Saturday's scheduled match against South Florida. The university emphasised that "UAB's top priority remains the safety and well-being of all of our students" in their continued statement.
Ongoing Investigation and Team Context
The circumstances that led to the violent confrontation between teammates remain unclear, with investigators working to determine the motive behind the attack. A school spokesperson confirmed that player names haven't been officially released due to patient privacy concerns and the ongoing criminal investigation.
The UAB Blazers entered Saturday's game with a challenging 3-7 record for the season, adding another layer of difficulty to what was already a challenging year for the football programme. The incident marks one of the most serious cases of team violence in recent college football history.
As the investigation continues, both university officials and local authorities are working to understand the full context of the incident that disrupted game day preparations and left two young athletes hospitalised.
