2025 Texas A&M–South Carolina football sideline incident

The 2025 Texas A&M–South Carolina football sideline incident was an altercation during a college football game on November 15, 2025, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, involving members of the University of South Carolina football team and a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper. The episode drew widespread media attention after broadcast footage circulated online and later led to legal actions weeks after the game.

The incident occurred during a conference matchup between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Texas A&M Aggies. South Carolina, as the heavy underdogs, was already leading by an astonishing scoreline of 20–3; if that lead were to hold, a loss would have seriously damaged the hopes of the as-yet-undefeated Aggies in their quest to make their first-ever College Football Playoff.

Then, instead of the highly favored Aggies drawing the game closer, South Carolina unexpectedly scored an 80-yard touchdown in the second quarter to extend their lead to 23 points, with wide receiver Nyck Harbor hauling in the long pass—and limping into the locker room tunnel after the score. Several South Carolina players followed him in celebration, and then the group headed back toward the field.^[1]

As Harbor and teammates, including running back Oscar Adaway III, approached the end zone and were walking back toward the field through a northeast tunnel at Kyle Field, a Texas DPS trooper was seen walking in the opposite direction and made contact with the players. Video from the game shows the trooper bumping into Harbor and Adaway, then turning toward them while pointing and appearing to speak or scold the players before they returned to the field.

The interaction was captured live during the ESPN broadcast of the game and quickly went viral, drawing reactions from sports fans and commentators online. Notable figures, including NBA star LeBron James and NFL pro Benjamin Watson, publicly criticized the trooper's conduct on social media.^[2]

In response, the Texas A&M University Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety announced that the trooper involved was relieved of his game-day duties and sent home from the event, and that the DPS Office of Inspector General would review the interaction.

Following the interaction, the Gamecocks began to spiral; the heavily favored Aggies began to rally in the third quarter and ultimately defeated South Carolina to preserve their undefeated season. Texas A&M would finish the regular season at 11–1, easily enough to earn a playoff spot; South Carolina would finish two wins away from bowl eligibility at 4–8.

The incident received sustained media coverage in the days and weeks following the game, especially as video circulated widely on social media and news outlets. Critics argued the trooper's actions were inappropriate and unnecessary, while some commentators debated the presence and role of law enforcement at sporting events.^[3]

On December 12, 2025, Oscar Adaway III filed a criminal complaint against the trooper in Brazos County, accusing him of assault during the November game and seeking accountability and an apology. Adaway's complaint cited emotional distress and sleep difficulties following the encounter. Legal experts discussed the potential for third-degree assault charges in connection with the case, and the complaint highlighted frustrations over the trooper's identity not being publicly disclosed.^[4]

The Texas DPS reiterated after the game that it was investigating the matter through its internal oversight office, and Texas A&M Police confirmed that the trooper would not work future home games while the review continued.