JOURNAL SPORTS
GRAMBLING — The Southwestern Athletic Conference Monday suspended 23 football players, 14 from Grambling, for involvement with a fight on the field at the end of Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s 35-32 win last Saturday at Grambling.
Each school was also fined $25,000 by the SWAC.
The conference said multiple players received two-game suspensions because of the severity of their actions. The rest will serve one game.
The conference did not name the suspended players. Also, it did not say how many have received two-game suspensions, which games the suspensions cover, or whether they will serve them at once or spread them across multiple games.
A year ago, nearly to the day, Grambling players were sanctioned for a halftime brawl with visiting Bethune Cookman.
Last season, the conference suspended 27 players: 18 from Grambling. Three received two-game suspensions and the conference fined GSU $40,000 and Bethune-Cookman $25,000.
Speaking on the SWAC’s media conference call Monday, Tigers’ coach Mickey Joseph expressed regret.
“We’re sorry it happened,” said Joseph, in his third year at Grambling. “That’s not what we’re teaching over here. I have to do a better job of getting my kids to channel their emotions, the emotions after an emotional loss. It happened. We’re embarrassed about it. I’m embarrassed about it.
“We’re sorry for the second time, and it won’t happen again. It won’t happen again because we had a long talk with the kids about how we need to handle things when they feel like somebody’s disrespecting them.”
Grambling issued a statement when the SWAC announced its ruling Monday.
“We hold our student-athletes to the highest standards of conduct, sportsmanship and accountability,” said Grambling State University Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Trayvean D. Scott. “The behavior exhibited following Saturday’s contest does not reflect the values of Grambling State University or the expectations of our athletics department and we strongly condemn these actions. I take these matters seriously and remain committed to fostering an environment that promotes respect, integrity and sportsmanship.
“I apologize to the Grambling State University community and to the UAPB team and their fans. I have been in contact with UAPB Director of Athletics Chris Robinson to express our sincere apologies, as well.”
The SWAC said its investigation, conducted with both schools, found that each program violated the league’s code of ethics and conduct through acts of unsportsmanlike conduct.
“We’re extremely disappointed by the events that transpired during the postgame of the Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Grambling State football game,” SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland said. “Acts of that nature have zero place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and intercollegiate athletics.”
The SWAC’s release did not say whether it considered the 2025 incident when setting this year’s penalties, but apparently not — Grambling’s fine is $15,000 lower.