Tuskegee University men’s basketball coach Benjy Taylor has retained civil rights attorneys following a troubling incident where he was handcuffed and escorted off the court after his team’s 77–69 loss to Morehouse College on February 1, 2026. The situation escalated during the postgame handshake, leading to a confrontation with a campus police officer.
The incident began when Taylor sought assistance from security personnel to enforce conference guidelines. A group of Morehouse football players had entered the court area, disrupting the handshake line and creating what Taylor described as a dangerous environment. According to his legal team, the coach’s request for security intervention was reasonable given the circumstances.
After the game, Taylor was handcuffed on the court while players were still shaking hands. Harry Daniels, one of Taylor’s attorneys, criticized the officer’s actions, stating, “To do it to a man like coach Taylor, a highly respected professional and role model, to put him in handcuffs… is absolutely disgusting and they need to be held accountable.”
In a statement to @TheFieldOf68, Taylor expressed his shock and disappointment, saying, “I am at a loss for words, and I am upset about how I was violated and treated today. For my players, my family, and people of Tuskegee to witness that is heartbreaking for me.” He emphasized that his intentions were solely to ensure safety during the handshake line, where he felt threatened due to the presence of the football players.
Video footage circulating on social media captured the moments leading up to the handcuffing. It shows Taylor engaged in a verbal exchange with the officer, during which he gestured to express his concerns. As the conversation escalated, the officer seized Taylor’s arm and placed him in handcuffs.
Following the incident, Taylor was released and returned to travel with his team. His attorneys have indicated they are considering the possibility of filing a civil lawsuit against the involved parties. The communications team representing Taylor stated that the handcuffing was executed by a campus police officer, tasked with maintaining security at the event.
The Tuskegee University athletic director, Reginald Ruffin, offered a different narrative, characterizing Taylor’s demeanor as “very aggressive.” Ruffin countered this portrayal, asserting that Taylor’s actions were aligned with conference security protocols and that his request for intervention was justified. “He asked the security officer, ‘Can you please remove them from the line?’ That’s what he asked the security officer,” Ruffin emphasized.
Taylor, who has dedicated over 35 years to coaching basketball, has been with Tuskegee since 2019. The legal team representing him is currently exploring all options regarding the incident, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the potential need for accountability.
The Morehouse College Police Department has not provided a comment regarding the incident despite inquiries from The Athletic. The lack of response raises questions about the protocols in place for managing postgame interactions and the conduct of security personnel during sporting events.
