Grambling State is handing out significant discipline following the postgame brawl that overshadowed its loss to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, announcing Monday that 14 football players have been suspended from the program for their involvement in the altercation.

The SWAC announced that 9 players from Arkansas-Pine Bluff have been suspended for their respective involvement in the altercation. Of the total number of 23 suspensions, multiple players have been disciplined with two-game suspensions due to the severity of their actions.

Additionally, in accordance with the league’s bylaws and sports regulations, the Conference Office has issued a fine against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the amount of $25,000.00, along with a fine against Grambling State in the amount of $25,000.00.

The university’s athletic department announced the suspensions Nov. 9, two days after players from Grambling State and UAPB became involved in a fight following the Golden Lions’ 35-32 victory at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.

Grambling State said the disciplinary decisions came after a comprehensive review of the incident. The university did not identify the suspended players or specify how long their suspensions would last.

“We hold our student-athletes to the highest standards of conduct, sportsmanship and accountability,” Grambling State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Trayvean D. Scott said in a statement. “The behavior exhibited following Saturday’s contest does not reflect the values of Grambling State University or the expectations of our athletics department and we strongly condemn these actions.”

Scott also apologized to the Grambling State community, UAPB’s football team and its fans. He said he had contacted UAPB athletic director Chris Robinson to personally express the university’s apology.

The announcement represents a significant development in a controversy that quickly overshadowed one of the more dramatic finishes of the SWAC weekend.

Coach Mickey Joseph on Monday apologized for his team’s role in the brawl, saying another incident “won’t happen again.”

“I’m embarrassed about it,” he said.

The fight broke out moments after the final whistle, with players from both teams involved in a confrontation that took several minutes to bring under control. The initial trigger for the altercation has not been definitively established in the available reporting.

UAPB head coach Alonzo Hampton publicly condemned the incident after the game, calling the behavior embarrassing and saying players and coaches must be held accountable regardless of the outcome.

“It’s embarrassing,” Hampton told the Pine Bluff Commercial. “That can’t happen.”

Hampton also emphasized the responsibility coaches have to teach players how to conduct themselves, both on and off the field.

Grambling head coach Mickey Joseph did not address the altercation during his postgame availability. The Lincoln Parish Journal reported that Joseph would not take questions about the incident during his press conference.

Another disciplinary controversy for Grambling

The incident is particularly troubling for Grambling because it marks another high-profile on-field altercation involving the football program in two seasons.

Last year, Grambling was involved in an altercation with Bethune-Cookman. That incident resulted in 27 player suspensions and fines for both programs, according to previous reporting.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference was expected to review the latest incident and consider additional disciplinary action involving players from both teams.

Grambling’s announcement addresses punishment for 14 of its own players, although it remains unclear whether the SWAC will issue additional sanctions.