NBA superstar LeBron James publicly criticized a Texas state trooper on Saturday, calling for his suspension after a viral video showed the officer making physical contact with two South Carolina football players following a Gamecock touchdown.
After wide receiver Nyck Harbor scored an 80-yard touchdown during Saturday’s game, he and teammate Oscar Adaway III were walking back toward the field from a tunnel at Kyle Field. The trooper appeared to shove both players before pointing and shouting at them.
James took to social media to criticize the trooper, writing, “That A&M cop needs (to be) suspended! That was premeditated and corny AF!! … He went out his way to start some s—. Do better man.”
Others on social media described the trooper’s actions as unprofessional as well as possibly racially charged, saying that the players were simply walking back to the field after making a big play.
Texas A&M Police said the trooper had been removed from the assignment. The Texas Department of Public Safety said the trooper was sent home and the agency’s Office of Inspector General will conduct a review.
In the game, Texas A&M rallied to beat South Carolina 31-30 after trailing 30-3 at halftime.
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