Two University of Alabama at Birmingham football players have been released from hospital after surviving a brutal stabbing attack allegedly perpetrated by their own teammate just hours before a scheduled game.
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The shocking assault occurred at approximately 10am on Saturday at the team's practice facility, mere hours before UAB was due to face South Florida at Protective Stadium. Daniel Israel Mincey, a 6 foot 3, 315lb lineman, was arrested and booked into Jefferson County Jail facing serious charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder.
Court documents identified the victims as defensive linemen Josh Underwood, a freshman, and JaSire Peterson, a redshirt sophomore. Both players sustained significant injuries during the alleged attack but have since been discharged from medical care.
Team Response and Game Decision
Interim head coach Alex Mortensen provided a positive health update during a Monday press conference, stating: "I've had the opportunity to sit with our injured players and their families, and they are okay with me telling you that they have left the hospital and are recovering. They appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers."
Despite the traumatic events, the Blazers' game against USF proceeded as scheduled at 2pm local time, with the visiting team securing a dominant 48-18 victory. Coach Mortensen revealed that while the team collectively decided to play, several players understandably chose to sit out in light of the morning's events.
Ongoing Investigation and Background
The UAB Police and Public Safety department is leading the investigation into the alleged assault and attempted murder. University officials released an initial statement on Saturday confirming the suspect remained in custody and that the injured players were in stable condition.
Daniel Israel Mincey had transferred to UAB after redshirting his freshman year at the University of Kentucky. His haunting mugshot circulated widely following the incident, drawing national attention to the case.
Coach Mortensen emphasised the importance of privacy for the recovering players and their families, while expressing gratitude for the support shown by the community. The university has declined further comment citing both patient privacy concerns and the ongoing criminal investigation.
