Players, Coach Suspended After NCCU/Howard Football Brawl

A coach and 36 players are suspended after an on-field fight following the football game between NCCU and Howard University.

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced the suspensions in a press release Monday evening.

Here’s the statement from MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills.

“The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has a zero-tolerance policy for fighting, as it directly violates the values of sportsmanship, respect, and integrity that define our Conference. We are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all student-athletes, coaches, and fans. Any actions that compromise these principles will result in serious consequences. We expect all participants in MEAC athletic events to conduct themselves with dignity and uphold the high standards that reflect the spirit of the MEAC.”

NCCU had 19 players and one assistant coach suspended. Howard had 17 players suspended.

“Let’s play football. We have so much to play for here,” said NCCU Head Coach Trei Oliver during a press conference. “We’re a championship program; we’re in a fight to get to the playoff, and now we’re about to get some guys suspended over nonsense. It’s bigger than that.”

The fight happened on Friday, Nov. 15, shortly after NCCU’s 26-3 victory, which was televised on ESPNU. As reported by ABC11, shortly after Coach Oliver shook hands with Howard Head Coach Larry Scott, the fight exploded onto the field between players and coaches.

The fight went on for five minutes until both teams were separated.

Coach Oliver shared his thoughts in the post-game press conference:

“I always shake hands. Last year I didn’t like the vibe at the end of the game, so I told my guys to go to the locker room. I went across the field and shook the coach’s hand. I took the loss. I was down there talking to another coach, I didn’t see what happened, but that’s not our football team. That’s not who we are, I don’t care what happened. We go to the locker room. Go to the band, then go to the locker room. That’s not us, that’s not who we are. That won’t be tolerated in my program.”

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