What you need to know
A conversation between a Texas state trooper and several college football players went viral, and the trooper was sent home for the day.
According to ESPN, the incident occurred on Saturday, Nov. 15, during the Texas A&M vs. South Carolina game at Kyle Field.
South Carolina players Nick Harbaugh and Oscar Adaway III were walking through the stadium tunnel after Harbaugh caught an 80-yard touchdown pass when a Texas state trooper attempted to hit Addaway.
Then the policeman turned and pointed at them, as if he was scolding them.
The moment quickly went viral, with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James calling for the player’s suspension in a Nov. 15 X-post.
“That A&M cop should be suspended! That was premeditated and corny AF!! He came all the way to start the shit. Try harder,” the NBA star wrote.
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PEOPLE reached out to James’ rep on Saturday, Nov. 15, but did not immediately receive a response.
Former NFL tight end Benjamin Watson also shared his thoughts at the time, describing what happened as a “clown” act.
“This is trash because of this clown. Pushing players. Seriously. What are you doing?!” Watson wrote in part in the X post.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), which oversees Texas police, said it was “aware of the incident” in a statement shared to the agency’s X account.
“The DPS trooper involved was sent home from the game. Our Office of Inspector General (OIG) is also aware of this incident and will investigate this matter further,” the statement said.
DPS added: “No additional information will be released at this time.”
