Overview
- Eighteen Grambling State players and nine from Bethune-Cookman were suspended, with three receiving two-game bans for particularly severe conduct.
- The SWAC fined Grambling State $40,000 and Bethune-Cookman $25,000 following the halftime melee reviewed through widely shared video.
- Grambling head coach Mickey Joseph first defended his players with a “meet disrespect with disrespect” remark, then issued a prepared apology clarifying he did not condone violence.
- Cam Newton and Delaware State coach DeSean Jackson criticized the episode for damaging HBCU perception, urging accountability from coaches and programs.
- Nine players were ejected during the game, the identities of those facing multi-game suspensions have not been disclosed, and league officials emphasized enforcement of sportsmanship standards.