A football player at the University of Alabama at Birmingham was arrested after allegedly stabbing two teammates shortly before the Blazers were set to play their final home game of the season. The incident occurred on campus at the Football Operations Building, according to the university.
The two wounded players were in stable condition, interim head coach Alex Mortensen said at a postgame news conference. He noted that the team decided to proceed with the game to honor graduating seniors, though some players chose to sit out due to the incident.
The teammate suspected in the stabbing was in custody, and the university confirmed the arrest of Daniel Mincey, an offensive lineman who transferred to the school in May. Mincey was booked on charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder, according to Jefferson County Jail records. He was in custody in Birmingham and appeared to be the only UAB player arrested Saturday.
The team’s online roster lists Mincey as a 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman from Pompano Beach, Florida, who previously played at the University of Kentucky. Mortensen said that once the team decided to play, the Blazers focused on their normal game-day routines. Counseling was being made available for players who wanted it, he added.
The coach declined to share further details about the incident, citing an ongoing investigation. The Blazers lost 48-18 to USF, dropping to 3-8 this season and 1-6 in the American Conference. Their last game is Nov. 29 at Tulsa.