An Alabama State football player was suspended for slapping a security guard who was trying to prevent him from entering the stands and confronting a fan, according to a report.
Footage posted to social media showed the player, identified by Alabama.com as wide receiver Jacob Freeman, lose his cool with a fan in the stands during the Alabama State’s game against Florida A&M on Sept. 23.
As the guard tries to prevent Freeman from going after the fan, Freeman allegedly slaps the man right in his face.
The shocked security guard holds his mouth and advances toward Freeman, who was held back by one of his coaches after the hit.
Alabama State players rushed over to the scene and exchanged words with fans who were seated in the same section where the chaos unfolded.
Freeman was arrested by FAMU Police Department and charged with one count of “battery causing bodily harm,” according to TMZ.
He has since been released.
Alabama State University Athletic Director Dr. Jason Cable condemned the incident and said the player, not mentioning Freeman by name, was “suspended indefinitely.”
“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.com reported.
“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.”
Since the game, Alabama State removed Freeman’s profile from its website.
Freeman transferred to Alabama State in February after spending last season with the Georgia State Panthers.
Social media lashed out at the player’s punch in the now-viral clip, which has been viewed over one million times.
“Kick him off the team!!!,” one user commented under the original video posted to X, the platform formally known as Twitter.
“He better get suspended and removed from the team!” another viewer commented.
“They lost 23-10 now he wanna put up a fight,” one person joked.
“If i was him I’m pressing charges and suing the university!!!! This video WON U A LAWSUIT…..” a person advocating for the security guard to sue.
Alabama State, who is 1-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play, is set to play the winless Alcorn Braves team at home Saturday on Sep. 30.
