Tuskegee Basketball Coach Files $1 Million Lawsuit Over Handcuffing Incident
Benjy Taylor, the men's basketball coach at Tuskegee University, has initiated a lawsuit seeking over $1 million in damages against Morehouse College and two campus police officers. The legal action stems from an incident on January 31, where Taylor was handcuffed and escorted off the court following a game against Morehouse, which Morehouse won 77-69.
Allegations of Emotional and Physical Harm
According to the lawsuit, Taylor claims to have suffered significant emotional, physical, and reputational damage due to the detainment. His attorney, Harry Daniels, stated that Taylor experienced stress, elevated blood pressure, hair loss, and a diminished ability to earn income for his family. Daniels emphasized that the incident has left a lasting stigma on Taylor's career, akin to a scarlet letter.
Details of the Incident and Security Concerns
The lawsuit names campus police officers R Clark and M Roberson, alleging that during the game, members of the Morehouse football team were taunting Tuskegee players from the baseline. Taylor expressed concerns about escalation and requested that the officers remove the football players. Instead, the lawsuit claims Clark stood by the football players and ignored the taunts.
Taylor was handcuffed when he insisted that the officers enforce security protocols for the postgame handshake line, as mandated by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). No charges were filed against Taylor.
SIAC Response and Fines
After reviewing the incident, the SIAC fined Morehouse College an undisclosed amount for failing to meet security standards. The conference stated that Morehouse did not adequately ensure crowd control or the safe entry and exit of visiting teams, requiring corrective measures for future compliance.
Legal and Career Implications
Despite the SIAC's actions, Daniels argues that Taylor deserves compensation for the harm suffered. Taylor has coached at Tuskegee since 2019, and the lawsuit highlights the potential long-term impact on his professional reputation and livelihood. Morehouse College has not yet responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit.
