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Tuskegee University men’s basketball head coach Benjy Taylor was taken off the court by police in handcuffs after the team’s road loss to Morehouse College Saturday night.
Taylor and a law enforcement officer were filmed during the handshake between the two teams, and they exchanged words.
Even though Taylor seemed frustrated about something, pointing to the gym, the officer clearly didn’t like what was said and removed his handcuffs.
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Tuskegee Golden Tigers head coach Benjy Taylor during the first half of the All Star-HBCU game against the Morehouse Maroon Tigers at Oakland Arena on February 15, 2025. (Darren Yamashita/Imagn Images)
Taylor, 58, was placed under arrest and escorted off the field in a wild scene.
HBCU Gameday reported that Morehouse football players entered the field after the game ended in a loss for their basketball team, and Taylor was confronted by security about how to resolve this issue.
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It was reported that Morehouse football players were entering the handshake line between the two basketball games.
Additionally, Tuskegee athletic director Reginald Ruffin said his head coach was trying to ensure safety protocols were followed, especially given the rivalry between the two schools.
“You have to mix the football players up by asking the team for a hand,” Ruffin said. “You don’t do that…it’s a security breach.”
Tuskegee Golden Tigers head coach Benjy Taylor celebrates after defeating the Morehouse Maroon Tigers in the All Star-HBCU game at Oakland Arena on February 15, 2025. (Darren Yamashita/Imagn Images)
Ruffin added that Taylor asked the officer, “Can you please take them out of the line,” but this was met with a hostile response from the officer.
Taylor told The Field of 68 what happened from his perspective.
“I am at a loss for words and I am distraught by the way I was violated and treated today,” Taylor said in a statement. “It breaks my heart that my players, my family and the people of Tuskegee witnessed this. I was just trying to get the football team out of the handshake line while they were following right behind me and the team was yelling obscenities! It was a very dangerous situation.”
Taylor then had the handcuffs removed and was allowed to leave the arena with his team.
Tuskegee Golden Tigers head coach Benjy Taylor shouts during the first half of the All Star-HBCU game against the Morehouse Maroon Tigers at Oakland Arena on February 15, 2025. (Darren Yamashita/Imagn Images)
No charges have been filed in connection with this incident.
Taylor is in his sixth season as head coach of the Golden Tigers. His team currently has a 15-5 record (14-3 in conference) and a perfect 9-0 record at home.
