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27 college football players between Grambling State and Bethune-Cookman have been suspended following a massive brawl on Nov. 8
The commissioner for the Southwestern Athletic Conference said in a statement that they are "extremely disappointed" by the fight
Grambling State head coach Mickey Joseph said his team is "committed to learning from this incident and moving forward in the right spirit" on Nov. 10
A total of 27 players from two college football teams have been suspended following a chaotic on-field brawl.
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)announcedthe decision on Monday, Nov. 10, with nine players from Bethune-Cookman and 18 from Grambling State receiving suspensions for their part in the halftime brawl two days earlier, which quickly went viral on social media.
Footageshared on Xshows players from both teams throwing punches and resisting coaches' attempts to deescalate the fight.
Three players are being given two-game suspensions for "particularly severe conduct," the SWAC said on Monday.
Bethune Cookman and Grambling State football teams got into a physical altercation during the Wildcats' loss to the Tigers:pic.twitter.com/zH711rquCE
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv)November 9, 2025
In a statement, the SWAC's commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland said, "We're extremely disappointed by the events that transpired during halftime of the Bethune-Cookman at Grambling State football game."
McClelland added, "Acts of that nature have zero place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and intercollegiate athletics. The Conference Office has and will 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."
Both schools also received hefty fines from the SWAC following the altercation. Grambling State is being fined $40,000 while the SWAC is asking Bethune-Cookman for $25,000, "in accordance with league bylaws and sports regulations."
Following Saturday's brawl, Grambling State head coach Mickey Joseph defended his players, citing "disrespect" from their opponents. "We're not going to tolerate disrespect here at Grambling," Joseph told reporters after the game, as seen ina video on X. "You won't disrespect us. We're going to meet disrespect with disrespect."
Joseph's statement did not go over well, and on Monday he opened hispress conferenceby clarifying his comments. Joseph said his defense of his players "was never meant to condone violence or unsportsmanlike behavior" and that his team is "committed to learning from this incident and moving forward in the right spirit."
Joseph also said, "Remember, cool heads prevail and calm is a superpower."
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