STWF Sports | Nov. 12, 2025 – The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has handed down significant punishments following a chaotic halftime brawl between the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats and the Grambling State Tigers, a melee that overshadowed what was meant to be one of the conference’s marquee matchups of the season.

Footage of the incident, which surfaced across social media over the weekend, showed players from both teams engaging in a heated physical confrontation near the sidelines, with several punches thrown and players spilling onto the field. The altercation has prompted swift disciplinary action from the league office and renewed discussions about sportsmanship and accountability within collegiate athletics.

SWAC Responds Swiftly to Halftime Melee

In an official statement released Tuesday, SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland condemned the actions of those involved and confirmed that 27 players across both programs have been suspended.

“We’re extremely disappointed by the events that transpired during halftime of the Bethune-Cookman at Grambling State football game,” McClelland said. “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.”

According to the conference, 18 Grambling State players and nine Bethune-Cookman players have been suspended, with three players from both sides receiving two-game bans for what the league described as “particularly severe conduct.” Their names were not disclosed in the initial report.

The Grambling State Tigers were also fined $40,000, while Bethune-Cookman received a $25,000 fine for their role in the incident.

Coaches Under Scrutiny After Tensions Flare

Following the Tigers’ 31–23 victory that improved their record to 7–3, Grambling State head coach Mickey Joseph initially defended his players’ reactions in comments that drew sharp criticism from fans and media alike.

“We’re not going to tolerate disrespect here at Grambling,” Joseph told KNOE8’s Clay Witt. “You won’t disrespect us. We’re going to meet disrespect with disrespect.”

The remarks were widely perceived as tone-deaf in the wake of the violent confrontation. By Monday, Joseph sought to clarify his position, opening his weekly press conference with a prepared statement acknowledging that his words had been poorly chosen.

“My defense of our players was never meant to condone violence or unsportsmanlike behavior,” Joseph said. “We’re committed to learning from this incident and moving forward in the right spirit.”

Despite his clarification, the episode has left a mark on Grambling State’s otherwise promising season. The Tigers have been one of the SWAC’s top programs in 2025, but this latest controversy threatens to overshadow their on-field progress.

Bethune-Cookman, now 5–5, will also have to navigate the rest of its season without several key contributors.

Broader Implications Across College Football

The fallout in the SWAC comes amid a weekend of heightened tensions across college football. The Sun Belt Conference also had to issue its own round of suspensions following an ugly postgame altercation between the Texas State Bobcats and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.

In that matchup, a narrow 42–39 Louisiana win was marred by a late-game fight that continued into the postgame handshake line and spilled into the tunnel, reportedly leaving one player injured. The Sun Belt handed out 13 total suspensions, including six Texas State players and seven from Louisiana.

Louisiana head coach Michael Desormeaux condemned the incident afterward, calling Texas State’s actions “completely classless and embarrassing.” The most severe punishment went to Louisiana safety Tyree Skipper, who was suspended for the remainder of the 2025 season — including any potential bowl game — after swinging his helmet at opposing players.

SWAC Reinforces “Zero Tolerance” Standard

For the SWAC, this latest round of sanctions is intended to reaffirm its stance on discipline and conduct. The conference has worked to elevate its national profile in recent years through increased exposure, competitive balance, and its strong HBCU traditions.

Yet, as Dr. McClelland emphasized, that growth cannot come at the expense of sportsmanship.

“We will continue to uphold the highest standards of conduct,” McClelland said. “Our student-athletes represent not just their universities, but the history and pride of the SWAC.”

With the regular season nearing its end, both Grambling State and Bethune-Cookman will look to move forward — but the message from the conference is clear: in the SWAC, discipline and respect remain non-negotiable.