BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – A shocking incident rocked the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) football program Saturday morning after a player allegedly stabbed two teammates inside the school’s Football Operations Building—just hours before kickoff against USF.
Two Players Hospitalized and in Stable Condition
UAB confirmed that two players were taken to UAB Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and remain in stable condition. Interim head coach Alex Mortensen said the team chose to move forward with the final home game of the season to honor graduating seniors, though several players opted out due to the traumatic incident.
Counseling has been made available to players, Mortensen added, while emphasizing that the ongoing investigation limits what he can publicly share.
Suspect Player in Custody
The university said the suspect—also a UAB player—was taken into custody shortly after the incident. While officials did not release names, jail records show that offensive lineman Daniel Mincey, 20, was arrested Saturday afternoon on charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder.
Mincey, a 6’4” redshirt freshman from Pompano Beach, Florida, transferred to UAB in May after redshirting his first season at Kentucky. His brother, Gerald Mincey, also played at Kentucky after previous stops at Florida and Tennessee.
It remains unclear what led to the confrontation, and attempts to contact Mincey’s family for comment were unsuccessful. Police have not yet confirmed whether Mincey is officially the suspect in the stabbing, but he remains booked at the Jefferson County Jail.
Campus Declared Safe
Following the arrest, UAB sent a message to students confirming there was no further threat to campus, and that the investigation remains active. The school declined to release the identities of the injured players, citing privacy laws.
Game Played Despite Chaos
Despite the turmoil, the Blazers kicked off against USF as scheduled, losing 48–18 and falling to 3–8 on the season. Their final game is set for Nov. 29 at Tulsa.
The university said its “top priority remains the safety and well-being of all students,” and promised further updates when possible.
