A Texas Department of Public Safety officer became the unwanted star of a viral social media video Saturday, drawing widespread condemnation after footage showed him elbowing South Carolina football players in a stadium tunnel during the Gamecocks’ stunning rout of No. 3 Texas A&M.
The incident unfolded midway through the second quarter, moments after South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor hauled in an 80-yard touchdown pass from quarterback LaNorris Sellers, ballooning the Gamecocks’ lead to 27-3. Video circulating on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, captured the officer — dressed in a tan uniform and distinctive cowboy hat — striding purposefully into a cluster of celebrating South Carolina players near the tunnel entrance. He extended his right elbow, making clear contact with at least one player, before pointing aggressively and shouting at the group to “get back on the field.”
The clip, first posted by the account @PardonMyMeme, quickly amassed tens of thousands of views and ignited a firestorm of backlash. “Texas A&M cop is a dick,” read the original caption, a sentiment echoed in hundreds of replies labeling the officer a “loser,” “clown” and worse. One user quipped, “Make him famous. He just elbowed the players because his team is getting their asses kicked,” while another accused him of trying to provoke an arrest. Calls to tag Texas Gov. Greg Abbott flooded the thread, with demands for an investigation into the officer’s conduct.
South Carolina, a 21-point underdog entering the game at Kyle Field, has turned the afternoon into a rout, leading 27-3 at the break after a dominant first half that included a scoop-and-score fumble return for a touchdown. The Gamecocks’ defense has stymied Texas A&M’s high-powered offense, holding the Aggies to just three points on a field goal. Pre-game predictions had favored Texas A&M by three touchdowns, but South Carolina’s balanced attack — led by Sellers’ arm and Harbor’s highlight-reel grab — has flipped the script.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is aware of the incident that occurred today during the Texas A&M football game. The DPS Trooper involved was sent home from the game. Our Office of Inspector General (OIG) is also aware of the incident and will be further looking into…
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) November 15, 2025
Eyewitness accounts and slow-motion replays shared online painted a clear picture: The officer appeared to initiate the contact, walking directly into the path of players Nos. 4 (Harbor) and 8, before feigning surprise and berating them. “Looks like he was trying to provoke him to try to get him arrested,” one commenter wrote, capturing the frustration rippling through college football circles. Another added, “Cop literally walks directly into them, extends his arms, then acts exasperated like a victim. What a clown.”
Neither Texas A&M nor the Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a statement as of late Saturday afternoon. The Southeastern Conference, which oversees the game, also declined immediate comment. South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, whose team entered the matchup 6-3 overall and 3-3 in SEC play, has not addressed the tunnel dust-up publicly but praised his players’ composure in post-half interviews.
The episode adds a sour note to what was shaping up as a feel-good story for the Gamecocks, who have now won three of their last four against top-10 opponents dating back to last season. For Texas A&M (8-2, 5-2), the loss — if it holds — would dent playoff aspirations and heap pressure on coach Mike Elko in his second year.
Social media’s raw reaction underscores a broader tension in college sports: the occasional clash between overzealous security and triumphant athletes. “Unnecessary roughness on the Aggie-State-Trooper,” one fan deadpanned, while others decried it as “inexcusable behavior” unfit for any sideline. As the second half unfolds, all eyes — and cameras — will be on whether cooler heads prevail in College Station.
A complete apology from the officer is necessary; anything less will not be accepted.
