A total of 16 Jackson State and Alabama State football players will not be able to suit up for their team’s upcoming matchups following a massive brawl that broke out after the two programs squared off on Saturday.
Things got heated after the Tigers (9-2, 7-0 SWAC) earned a hard-fought 16-10 road win against the Hornets with players from both teams jawing, pushing, shoving, and even throwing punches.
On Monday, officials with the Southwestern Athletic Conference determined that both schools violated the league’s code of ethics/conduct by committing acts of unsportsmanlike conduct. Seven Jackson State players and nine Alabama State players received a one-game suspension due to the on-field scuffle.
Neither program specified which players would be sitting out one game.
Tensions were high after the Jackson State vs Alabama State game. Our photographer was there at the end of the game when multiple fights broke out. pic.twitter.com/xiEBGIWDOq
— Rosie Langello (@RosieLangello) November 17, 2024
“Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct have zero place in the sports of intercollegiate athletics and within the Southwestern Athletic Conference and we are extremely disappointed to have had consecutive weeks of football competition negatively impacted by these unfortunate occurrences,” SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland said.
“We will continue to work with our membership to implement the necessary policies and procedures to deter this type of behavior. We will also continue to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for all acts deemed to be unsportsmanlike and contrary to the high standard of good sportsmanship we expect from all individuals associated with the athletics programs within our league.”
In addition, both institutions were fined $25,000.
On the bright side for T.C. Taylor’s squad, Saturday’s win cemented Jackson State as the host team for the upcoming SWAC championship. The Tigers will take on the Southern Jaguars, a team Jackson State defeated 33-15 back in September.
Before the Tigers compete for a conference title, one regular season game remains — an in-state showdown at Alcorn State. Jackson State’s road contest against the Braves, one in which it will lack the seven suspended players, will take place on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
