Tuskegee Coach to Sue Morehouse After Handcuffing Incident

Tuskegee men’s basketball coach Benjy Taylor is gearing up to take legal action following a highly publicized handcuffing incident earlier this year. Taylor is expected to file a lawsuit against Morehouse College campus police officers this week, alleging mistreatment and violation during a game.

The Incident and Social Media Backlash

The controversial event took place on January 31 during a Division II game between Tuskegee and Morehouse in Atlanta. Video footage of the incident quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage and concern. Taylor was handcuffed and removed from the court, an experience he described as deeply upsetting and violating.

In a statement at the time, Taylor expressed his heartbreak over the situation, especially for his players, family, and the Tuskegee community who witnessed it. He explained that he was attempting to manage a potentially dangerous situation involving Morehouse football players who had entered the court and were reportedly yelling obscenities during the postgame handshake line.

Attorneys Detail the Coach’s Account

According to Taylor’s legal team, the coach approached campus officers seeking assistance to clear the court and enforce security rules, as a group of Morehouse football players had entered the playing area, violating conference security protocols. Instead of receiving help, Taylor claims one officer handcuffed him and escorted him away. No criminal charges were filed against him.

The lawsuit is set to be led by a team of prominent civil rights attorneys, including Harry Daniels, John Burris, Gerald Griggs, and Gregory Reynald Williams. Taylor is scheduled to meet with his legal team in Atlanta on March 20 to formally announce the filing.

Morehouse College Responds

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) has already fined Morehouse College an undisclosed amount in connection with the incident. However, Morehouse College President Dr. F. DuBois Bowman has expressed reservations about the SIAC’s investigation and decision.

In a statement, Dr. Bowman noted that the college’s input was not included in the investigation, raising questions about the fairness and comprehensiveness of the process. Morehouse College is reportedly engaging directly with the SIAC to reconsider the findings and the precedent set by such decisions for all member institutions. The college did issue an apology to Coach Taylor the night after the incident occurred.