Two UAB football players were hospitalized Saturday morning after being stabbed at the university’s Football Operations Center, an incident that led to the arrest of a teammate just hours before the Blazers were set to kick off against South Florida.
The stabbing occurred shortly after 10 a.m. at the team’s facility in downtown Birmingham. University officials confirmed that both victims were transported to UAB Hospital and are in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect involved in the alleged stabbing at UAB‘s Football Operations Center has been identified as Blazers offensive lineman Daniel Mincey. Mincey is in his first year with the program after transferring to UAB from Kentucky this offseason.
Mincey has been arrested, and was charged for aggravated assault and attempted murder. At least two victims have been transported to UAB Hospital, per Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service. The university said in an initial statement that the injuries to the victims are considered to be ‘non-life threatening.’
“UAB Police and Public Safety is investigating an assault that took place this morning at the Football Operations Center,” the UAB Athletics Department said in a statement. “The suspect is in custody, and there is no threat to campus.”
Despite the violence within the program, the university announced that the team would proceed with its scheduled home game against the South Florida Bulls.
“The team elected to play today’s game,” the statement continued. “UAB’s top priority remains the safety and well-being of all of our students.”
The incident adds a grim footnote to a struggling season for the Blazers (3-7), who are playing under interim head coach Alex Mortensen following the dismissal of Trent Dilfer earlier this year.
The investigation is ongoing.
