Tuskegee University men's basketball coach Benjy Taylor is considering legal action after being handcuffed and led off the court following his team's 71-61 loss to Morehouse College on Saturday.
Taylor had attempted to remove members of Morehouse's football team from the post-game handshake line, which he deemed a security risk. Tuskegee athletic director Reginald Ruffin said the coach was following protocols. 'You don’t do that … that’s a security breach,' Ruffin told HBCU Gameday. 'We have security measures for our protection of our officials, our student athlete coaches and spectators.'
Video footage shows Taylor animated but not physically aggressive before an officer handcuffed him and escorted him away. Taylor's attorney, Gregory Reynald Williams, said the coach was 'concerned about a group of players from Morehouse’s football team who were acting aggressively towards the Tuskegee players and their parents.'
Taylor was later released and rejoined his team. He described the incident as humiliating. 'I am at a loss for words and I am upset about how I was violated and treated today,' he told The Field of 68. 'For my players, my family and people of Tuskegee to witness that is heartbreaking for me.'
Williams confirmed that a civil lawsuit is being considered. 'Coach Taylor is a good man who did the right thing to protect his team and deescalate a dangerous situation and this officer put him in chains for his troubles,' he said.
