What should have been a standard postgame scene quickly escalated Saturday night following a Division II matchup between Tuskegee University and Morehouse College. After Morehouse’s 77–69 win, Tuskegee head coach Benjy Taylor was placed in handcuffs by a campus security officer and escorted off the court, a moment captured on multiple videos that circulated widely online.
A Routine Ending Turns Chaotic in Oakland
The incident occurred near the handshake line as players, staff, and additional individuals entered the court area. Video footage shows Taylor speaking with a security officer before the officer removed handcuffs and restrained him. At no point in the video does Taylor appear to make physical contact with the officer.
Dispute Centers on Handshake Line and Security Concerns
According to Tuskegee officials, the confrontation stemmed from concerns about non-basketball personnel joining the handshake line. Tuskegee athletic director Reginald Ruffin told HBCU Gameday that a group of Morehouse football players had intermingled with the teams, which he described as a breach of standard postgame security protocols.
Ruffin said Taylor approached security to request that the football players be removed from the line in order to reduce congestion and prevent potential conflict. Ruffin characterized the request as reasonable and disputed claims that Taylor acted aggressively. The security officer, however, reportedly viewed Taylor as the aggressor, a difference in perception that ultimately led to Taylor being handcuffed.
Taylor Says He Was “Violated”
Taylor later issued a statement through Field of 68 reporter Jeff Goodman, expressing frustration and disappointment over how the situation was handled.
He said he was “at a loss for words” and described the experience as heartbreaking for his players, family, and the Tuskegee community. Taylor maintained that he was attempting to de-escalate what he believed was a dangerous situation involving individuals yelling obscenities while following closely behind the teams.
Taylor was released shortly after the incident and traveled home with the team. He was not charged with a crime.
Legal Representation and Next Steps
On Sunday, Taylor retained national civil rights attorney Harry Daniels to explore potential legal action. In a statement released by Daniels, Taylor reiterated that he asked officers to enforce conference-mandated security protocols and to remove individuals he believed were acting aggressively toward Tuskegee players and parents.
The statement emphasized that Taylor was never charged with any offense and that the decision to place him in handcuffs is being reviewed as part of an investigation into possible civil claims.
Tuskegee Voices Support
Tuskegee officials have publicly backed their head coach, stating that his actions were consistent with protecting student-athletes and staff. The university noted that handcuffing a coach on the court during a postgame setting falls outside normal and acceptable conduct within college athletics.
Taylor has served as Tuskegee’s head men’s basketball coach since 2019. Morehouse officials had not publicly commented on the incident as of Monday morning.
What Comes Next?
As video of the incident continues to circulate, the situation remains under review. Taylor’s legal team has indicated they are examining all available options, while Tuskegee awaits further clarity on how the postgame security breakdown escalated into one of the most jarring scenes in college basketball this season.