Head coach Benjy Taylor sues Morehouse and campus officers over on-court handcuffing

Head coach Benjy Taylor of Tuskegee University filed a federal lawsuit against Morehouse College and two campus police officers after being handcuffed and publicly escorted from the court following a January 31 basketball game.

The incident occurred during the postgame handshake ceremony when Taylor approached Officer R. Clark to request removal of unauthorized Morehouse football players who had allegedly harassed and sworn at Tuskegee players and staff throughout the game.

Atlanta News First

Taylor was not charged with any crime but described the incident as deeply traumatic, stating he felt 'violated' and 'heartbroken' that his players, family, and university community witnessed his public humiliation in front of thousands of onlookers including his own family members.

The confrontation escalated when Morehouse football players ran onto the court during the postgame handshake lines, creating what Taylor described as a 'very dangerous situation.'

According to the lawsuit, Taylor had previously expressed concerns during the game that several Morehouse football players positioned near the baseline were taunting Tuskegee players and shouting profanities at coaches and staff.

BET

When Taylor personally asked Officer Clark to enforce conference security protocols, instead of addressing the security breach, Clark allegedly 'took his position next to the football players, laughed, and turned his back' while the insults continued before ultimately handcuffing Taylor and escorting him from the arena as if he were 'the most wanted individual in America.'

Taylor's federal lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division, seeks more than $1 million in damages from Morehouse College, Officer R. Clark, and Officer M. Roberson.

“Tuskegee Coach To File Lawsuit After Handcuffing Incident At Morehouse The lawsuit follows a controversial handcuffing incident involving Benjy Taylor”

Black Enterprise

The legal action accuses the defendants of 'willful intent, malice, bad faith, and a reckless disregard for the consequences,' stating their conduct was 'intentional, malicious, and demonstrated a conscious indifference to the federally protected rights of Coach Taylor.'

Taylor's civil rights legal team, led by Harry Daniels and John Burris along with attorneys Gerald Griggs and Gregory Reynald Williams, claims the coach suffered physical damages, emotional distress, and financial losses due to the 'reprehensible act and miscarriage of justice.'

Daniels revealed that Taylor had attempted to reach a private agreement with Morehouse before filing suit but emphasized the need to 'rehabilitate his reputation' after the internationally publicized incident.

The immediate aftermath of the incident revealed significant institutional consequences, as the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) fined Morehouse College for failing to meet required security standards regarding crowd control and safe team exits.

Tuskegee University president Mark A. Brown issued a strong statement of support, declaring that Taylor had the school's 'full, unequivocal, and unwavering support' and praising his conduct as 'measured, professional, and entirely consistent with the expectations of a head coach entrusted with the safety of his team.'

Blavity News

In contrast, Morehouse College President Dr. F. DuBois Bowman publicly questioned the SIAC investigation process, stating the decision 'fell short of the due diligence expected of a fair and comprehensive process' while confirming the institution had issued an apology to Taylor the night after the incident.

Morehouse's apparent disagreement with the SIAC's findings and subsequent fine created additional tension between the two historically Black institutions.

The incident has sparked broader discussions about racial justice and institutional accountability within historically Black colleges and universities.

“Atlanta - An HBCU rivalry between Morehouse and Tuskegee has escalated into a lawsuit, with Benjy Taylor and his legal team alleging he was wrongfully handcuffed, arrested, and publicly humiliated”

Charlotte Observer

Taylor's attorneys emphasized the symbolic significance of the handcuffing, with Daniels noting that Taylor 'is a good man who did the right thing to protect his team and deescalate a dangerous situation and this officer put him in chains for his troubles.'

Complex

The attorneys also highlighted the humiliation factor, noting that Taylor's moment was 'broadcast on the arena jumbotron and to a national television audience,' which they argue intensified his public embarrassment.

John Burris connected the incident to Morehouse's civil rights heritage, stating, 'We might not be surprised to see that kind of behavior in some out-of-control department, but this is the home of Julian Bond, Maynard Jackson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'

The lawsuit comes amid national scrutiny of policing practices and racial justice, particularly in educational settings, and represents a significant moment for HBCUs in addressing safety protocols and racial dynamics in their athletic programs.