Skip to main content

Alabama State player arrested after punching security guard while trying to confront a fan

On3 imageby:Kaiden Smith09/26/23

kaiden__smith

Alabama State and FAMU are rivals in the SWAC, but tempers flared in their game last Saturday in a way that nobody could have expected.

Alabama State wide receiver Jacob Freeman was arrested by the FAMU Police Department after punching a security in the face Saturday following the game.

FAMU was the home team in the matchup, and tempers were flaring between a fan in the crowd and Freeman on the sideline as the game was being played. The security guard, who has not been named, tried to step in the way of Freeman and calm the situation down only to be struck by Freeman with a quick and unexpected right hook.

The security guard immediately clutched his face in pain and Freeman’s teammates swarmed in to hold him back, with other teammates continuing to engage in a verbal back and forth with the fan.

According to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Freeman was charged with one count of “battery causing bodily harm” and has also been suspended by Alabama State for his behavior. His player profile has also been removed from the team’s website.

Freeman transferred to Alabama State this offseason after spending the first three years of his collegiate career at Georgia State. He was a three-star prospect at Callaway High School where he was ranked the No. 163 wide receiver in the country and the No. 103 overall player in the state of Georgia for the 2020 recruiting class according to On3’s Industry Ranking.

“We are aware of the incident that occurred last night following our game against Florida A&M University in Tallahassee involving an Alabama State University football student-athlete,” Alabama State University Athletic Director Dr. Jason Cable said in a statement. “We do not condone the actions of the student-athlete, nor are the actions representative of the expectations set forth by the Athletic Department and our University. There is zero tolerance for this type of behavior. The student-athlete has been suspended indefinitely from the football program, effective immediately.”

Alabama State lost to FAMU 23-10 on Saturday and will face Alcorn State this Saturday more than likely without Freeman in attendance.

Florida A&M defeats Alabama State

FAMU’s 23-10 win over Alabama State last weekend extended their home win streak to 17 games (second-longest in the FCS) and evened their all-time series with the Hornets to 20-20-2.

Quarterback and Vanderbilt transfer Jeremy Moussa led the charge offensively for the Rattlers completing 25 of his 40 pass attempts for 294 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday.

Moussa found wideouts Jamari Gassett and Marcus Riley on his two scores, but fed receiver Jah’Marae Sheread well on the evening as he ended the day with nine receptions for 72 yards, which were both season highs.