14 Grambling Football Players Suspended for Postgame Brawl With Arkansas-Pine Bluff

SWAC disciplines 23 players following Grambling and UAPB brawl

Following a dramatic 35-32 finish at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium, a postgame melee has resulted in a total of 23 player suspensions across two Southwestern Athletic Conference football programs. Grambling State announced November 9 that 14 of its players were suspended following a comprehensive review of the altercation that broke out immediately after the final whistle on November 7.

The conference office subsequently issued concurrent suspensions for nine players from Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

The conference also levied financial penalties against both institutions. The Southwestern Athletic Conference office announced that both Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff would be fined $25,000 per school for the Saturday night incident. Multiple players across the 23 total suspensions received two-game bans due to the severity of their actions on the field.

Grambling coach Mickey Joseph addressed the discipline on Monday, expressing clear remorse for the behavior of his squad. I have to do a better job of getting my kids to channel their emotions after an emotional loss. It happened. We’re embarrassed about it. I’m embarrassed about it. We’re sorry, for the second time; it won’t happen again, Joseph said.

The head coach noted that the team had extensive discussions regarding how to handle perceived disrespect on the field by choosing to walk away and take the high road.

Grambling State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Trayvean D. Scott emphasized the institutional standards expected of student-athletes in a public statement. We hold our student-athletes to the highest standards of conduct, sportsmanship and accountability, Scott stated, adding that he personally contacted UAPB athletic director Chris Robinson to apologize.

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UAPB head coach Alonzo Hampton similarly condemned the altercation after the contest. It’s embarrassing, Hampton told the Pine Bluff Commercial, stressing that coaches and players must maintain accountability regardless of the game’s outcome.

The incident marks a recurring disciplinary challenge for the Grambling football program. Last season, an on-field altercation following a game against Bethune-Cookman resulted in 27 player suspensions and financial penalties for the university. While Grambling’s recent announcement addresses 14 of its own roster members, it remains unclear whether the SWAC office will implement additional conference-level sanctions.