SWAC Suspends 27 Players, Fines Schools After Halftime Brawl

In the aftermath of a series of on-field brawls and postgame confrontations in college football this past weekend, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has taken swift disciplinary action. On Monday, the SWAC announced that a total of 27 players—9 from Bethune-Cookman and 18 from Grambling State—have been suspended following a halftime altercation between the two teams on Saturday.

The SWAC commissioner, Dr. Charles McClelland, expressed the league's extreme disappointment with the incident, stating that such "acts of unsportsmanlike conduct" have no place in the conference or in intercollegiate athletics. The conference has vowed to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for any behavior that goes against the high standards of sportsmanship expected from all individuals associated with the athletics programs.

In addition to the player suspensions, the SWAC has also levied fines of $25,000 against Bethune-Cookman and $40,000 against Grambling State. The specific names of the suspended players were not disclosed, but three individuals received two-game suspensions for particularly severe conduct.

Grambling State coach Mickey Joseph initially defended his players, suggesting that Bethune-Cookman's delayed exit from the locker room contributed to the escalation. However, he later clarified that his comments were not meant to condone the violence.

The Sun Belt Conference also handed down several suspensions following a postgame confrontation between Louisiana and Texas State, with a total of 13 players suspended, including one for the remainder of the season.

These incidents have left the affected programs dealing with the fallout as they continue to chase bowl eligibility in the final weeks of the season.