UAB Football Player Arrested After Allegedly Stabbing 2 Teammates

A University of Alabama at Birmingham football player was arrested on Saturday, November 23, after allegedly stabbing two of his teammates before the team’s game against the University of South Florida, according to an Associated Press report.

Daniel Mincey, an offensive lineman on the team, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and attempted murder. He was in custody in Birmingham, although the school did not confirm if Mincey was involved.

Mincey, 20, allegedly stabbed two of his teammates, both unnamed, just a few hours before the team kicked off its senior day celebrations in the last home game of the season. He played football at the University of Kentucky in 2024 and transferred to UAB before this season.

UAB interim coach Alex Mortensen said in the postgame press conference that both of the victims were in stable condition and that the team decided to play despite the incident to honor the graduating seniors. Because of the stabbing, several players decided to skip the game.

Mortensen said once the decision was made to continue the game as planned, the team refocused on its normal gameday routine. He added that counseling was made available to the student-athletes who requested it.

“We spoke as a team, and we spoke with the team, and those guys really wanted to play today, and the conversation went back to the seniors, with today being senior day, they wanted to go play for them, and give them an opportunity to out and compete and play, so that was probably the biggest thing,” Mortensen told reporters.

He continued: “We want to be very sympathetic to what everyone’s going through, and make sure that everyone understood they had an opportunity to seek counseling, or anything that they needed or wanted. We have a process and a routine that we got through in pregame, and I think staying committed to that probably helped guys just staying focused on the job.”

He did not share any additional information, citing the ongoing investigation.

“We’re grateful to report that two players injured in an incident this morning at the Football Operations Building are in stable condition,” the university said in a statement after the stabbing. “Our thoughts are with them and their families as they recover.”

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The statement continued: “UAB’s top priority remains the safety and well-being of all of our students. Given patient privacy and the ongoing investigation, we have no further comment at this time.”

Mortensen stepped in as head coach after the school fired coach Trent Dilfer last month. Mortensen served as the offensive coordinator before stepping into the head coach position.

“Coach Dilfer really cared about our players a lot. Very genuine. Poured a lot into them,” Mortensen said during his introductory press conference last month. “I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to have worked with Coach Dilfer. … Obviously not the circumstances with which I would want this to happen, but certainly grateful.”

UAB lost the game, 48-18, and now has a 3-8 record this year. Their final game of the season will be on Saturday, November 29.