Saturday’s matchup between Texas A&M and South Carolina took an unexpected and uncomfortable turn when a Texas state trooper was seen in a tense run-in with two Gamecocks players in the tunnel right before halftime.
Following a late second-quarter touchdown that extended South Carolina’s lead to 26-3, several Gamecock players sprinted into the tunnel to celebrate. Broadcast cameras showed a Texas state trooper colliding with two of those players as they exited. The moment quickly escalated into a short but fiery confrontation in which the trooper angrily pointed at one of the players.
In response to the now-viral footage, the Texas A&M Police Department released a statement confirming that the trooper had been removed from his game-day duties shortly after the incident. South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer also praised the Aggies for addressing the matter promptly, saying they handled the bizarre moment “the right way” by sending the trooper home.
The situation gained even more attention when former Texas A&M star Johnny Manziel weighed in with his perspective.
“I think we’re just a little frustrated in that first half. He breaks off that run, runs out the tunnel,” Manziel said during an appearance on the Nightcap podcast with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson. “Around here in these parts, partner, we protect this house. We paid a lot of money for this house. Get out of my tunnel, boy! Get back on the field. He gave him a lil something, let him know what’s up… It is a small gesture that of course in the day and age we live in, it’s on TV and recorded and blasted everywhere. I’m sure the guy obviously feels bad about it.”
Manziel went on to express empathy for Nyck Harbor, the South Carolina wide receiver who appeared to have exchanged words with the trooper. “I’m not gonna lie, if I’m in that position too, I’m going to go with the guy. I’m definitely turning around getting in his face and saying something,” he added.
Ultimately, the former Aggies quarterback agreed with hosts Sharpe and Ochocinco that the trooper’s behavior was unnecessary. He also commended Texas A&M for taking appropriate action.
“He sought it out for sure,” Manziel said of the trooper. “And to be honest, I’ve had my tiffs with the state troopers and the city police of Bryan and College Station. I will say for the majority of the people in law enforcement in and around this area, this is a very well-policed, very protect the school and protect the people area. … But that today, what we saw, was wrong for sure. And I think A&M did handle it the right way.”
