Tuskegee coach handcuffed after game, hires civil rights attorney over incident

Tuskegee basketball coach Benjy Taylor was handcuffed and escorted off court Saturday night after asking police to enforce security protocols at his team’s game against Morehouse. The shocking postgame incident escalated when Morehouse football players entered the handshake line, prompting Taylor to request officer intervention. Now the veteran coach has retained prominent civil rights attorney Harry Daniels to explore legal action over the controversial detainment.

Coach Asked Police to Enforce Conference Security Protocols

Benjy Taylor, in his sixth season as Tuskegee’s head coach, confronted a security officer after noticing Morehouse football players entering the postgame handshake line. Taylor stated the players were “yelling obscenities” and creating a dangerous situation for his basketball players and families. Athletic Director Reginald Ruffin confirmed Taylor’s account, noting the football players’ behavior violated conference-mandated security measures.

According to Tuskegee officials, Taylor politely asked officers to remove the football players from the court. The security officer, however, instead placed handcuffs on Taylor himself and escorted him off the floor through a hallway and into a locked room. The entire incident was captured on multiple viral videos that sparked immediate outrage across social media and college sports communities.

Civil Rights Attorney Calls Treatment “Absolutely Disgusting”

Attorney Harry Daniels released a statement Sunday declaring Taylor’s treatment unacceptable and announcing a full legal investigation. Daniels emphasized that Morehouse football players were acting aggressively and violating Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference protocols. When Taylor attempted to diffuse the increasingly dangerous situation by requesting police enforcement, the officer’s response was completely unjustified.

“It would be bad for a police officer to treat anyone like this,” Daniels stated. “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.” Daniels added that Taylor’s conduct was entirely appropriate and that the coach acted to protect his student-athletes from a security breach.

“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. I was simply trying to get the football team out of the handshake line as they were following right behind me and the team yelling obscenities. It was a very dangerous situation.”

— Benjy Taylor, Tuskegee Basketball Coach

University Leadership Stands Behind Embattled Coach

Tuskegee University President Dr. Mark Brown released a statement expressing full support for Taylor’s actions during the incident. The university confirmed that Taylor “acted solely out of his fundamental responsibility” to protect his student-athletes and staff in an environment where proper security protocols were not followed. Brown stated that Taylor’s conduct remained “measured, professional, and entirely consistent” with the expectations of a head coach.

Athletic Director Reginald Ruffin directly witnessed the exchange and contradicted the security officer’s account. Ruffin stated the officer claimed Taylor was “very aggressive,” but Ruffin disagreed entirely. He noted Taylor simply and politely asked the officer to remove the Morehouse football players from the line. The university’s leadership has made clear they view Taylor as a victim of misconduct by law enforcement.

What Happens Next with Legal Action and Conference Investigation?

Taylor is currently exploring all legal avenues with his team of three civil rights attorneys. A possible civil lawsuit against the officer, Morehouse College, and potentially law enforcement agencies is under investigation. Taylor was not charged with any crime and was allowed to return home with his team on the bus following the game. It remains unclear which law enforcement agency employed the officer who handcuffed him.

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has not yet publicly addressed whether additional investigation or disciplinary action is warranted. Morehouse College has declined to comment on the incident or the alleged misconduct by its student-athletes. As this developing situation unfolds, civil rights advocates and HBCU supporters nationwide continue demanding accountability for what many view as an egregious abuse of police authority during a college basketball game.

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.