Texas A&M University said Sunday that a state trooper who made physical contact with South Carolina players during Saturday’s game has been relieved of his game‑day duties and sent home. The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that its Office of Inspector General has opened a review of the incident.
The confrontation occurred after South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor scored an 80‑yard touchdown. As Harbor and teammate Oscar Adaway III walked back through the tunnel, a Texas state trooper appeared to bump into them, wedged himself between the players, and pointed at them in a confrontational manner. The moment, captured live on ESPN, quickly spread across social media and drew sharp criticism from fans and commentators.
Texas A&M officials said the trooper was removed from his assignment immediately. DPS acknowledged the incident and said further disciplinary action would depend on the outcome of the Inspector General’s investigation.
The episode has overshadowed Texas A&M’s comeback victory and sparked a broader debate about law enforcement conduct at sporting events. Prominent voices in sports media, including Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James, condemned the trooper’s behavior, underscoring how quickly the story gained national attention.
Direct confrontations between law enforcement officers and athletes are rare, but not entirely without precedent. In 2018, Georgia football faced scrutiny after several players were arrested in incidents that raised questions about police handling of athletes, though those cases occurred off the field. More recently, crowd‑control measures at college games have occasionally drawn criticism for being overly aggressive, though they seldom involve direct contact with players.
Analysts note that the Texas A&M incident Analysts note that the Texas A&M incident stands out because it unfolded on live television, involved physical contact with athletes, and prompted immediate disciplinary action. The swift removal of the trooper reflects both the visibility of the episode and the sensitivity of institutions to public scrutiny in the age of viral broadcasts.
