DURHAM, N.C. — Several North Carolina Central University (NCCU) football players and an assistant coach are all suspended after postgame brawl on Friday night, according to Raleigh CBS affiliate, WNCN.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced Monday that 36 student athletes total are suspended.
Punches were thrown between players and Durham police officers tried to break up the fight that broke out just seconds after an NCCU victory, WNCN reports.
"Foolishness, that's what it was, and that's not who we are," NCCU Head Coach Trei Oliver said during Monday's presser. "You got two great academic institutions; we're not no thugs."
The MEAC said it is now suspending 17 players from Howard as well as 19 players and an assistant coach from NCCU.
"We're trying to fight to get to the playoffs," Oliver added. "Now we're about to get some guys suspended over nonsense.
A WNCN crew member on the field said they saw a Howard player punching an NCCU player first before the brawl erupted.
"Such disruptive behavior is unacceptable, and we are committed to conducting a full investigation and taking appropriate disciplinary action to ensure accountability," NCCU Chancellor Karrie Dixon said in a statement.
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