The University of Alabama at Birmingham disclosed that a football player allegedly stabbed two teammates on Saturday morning prior to the team’s scheduled game against the University of South Florida. The injured players were reported to be in stable condition, as mentioned by interim head coach Alex Mortensen during the post-game press briefing. Despite the incident, the team chose to proceed with the game as a tribute to graduating seniors on their final home game of the season. However, some players opted out of playing due to the situation.
The university confirmed that the suspected assailant was in custody, withholding the identities of those involved. Records from Jefferson County Jail indicated that Daniel Mincey, an offensive lineman who joined the school in May, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder later in the day. Mincey, a six-foot-four redshirt freshman from Pompano Beach, Florida, previously affiliated with the University of Kentucky, was the sole UAB player taken into custody that day.
Legal representation for Mincey could not be immediately ascertained, and efforts to reach family members for comments were unsuccessful. University officials did not officially verify Mincey’s involvement in the incident. The team’s routine game-day activities were reportedly maintained once the decision to play was made, with counseling services offered to players seeking support.
Coach Mortensen refrained from disclosing further specifics regarding the altercation, citing an ongoing investigation. The stabbing incident took place at the Football Operations Building on campus. UAB’s football team suffered a 48-18 defeat against South Florida, bringing their season record to 3-8 overall and 1-6 in the American Conference.