Texas A&M’s comeback win vs. South Carolina proved notable for several reasons. The Aggies mounted a 27-point rally at their lush home stadium, the biggest comeback in program history. Marcel Reed overcame early-game jitters to lead Texas A&M back to life, spearheading four straight scoring drives.
The Aggies kept their hopes for an unbeaten season alive on an emotional mid-fall day. Yet the most memorable moment of the game might have had nothing to do with the on-field action.
Nyck Harbor was accosted by a police officer after scoring a touchdown against the Aggies. The incident — and its subsequent fallout — has taken social media by storm and already prompted a response from Texas law enforcement. Here’s what you need to know.
MORE: How Aggies pulled off biggest SEC comeback in 21 years
Harbor was a constant thorn to the Aggies’ defense during the first half of Saturday’s game. Things came to a head as the second quarter came to an end, with Harbor turning a short-range LaNorris Sellers effort into an 80-yard touchdown.
Nyck Harbor holy shit LOL. Unreal speed pic.twitter.com/JgMF6MIE6J
Harbor showcased sprinter speed in his scamper, an unsurprising occurrence given his prowess on the track. But it came at a cost. Harbor came up grimacing as he limped back to the sideline, pulling on the back of his thigh.
Harbor was accompanied by his teammates as he strode back to the tunnel. He was summarily confronted by a Texas A&M police officer as he made his way to the sideline. The officer walked into Harbor and his teammate before pointing at him and berating him. Harbor didn’t appear to see the officer as he walked towards the rest of his team. That didn’t stop the cop from barking at him.
What on earth was this police officer doing and why was he so upset with South Carolina WR Nyck Harbor — who was in obvious discomfort after scoring a TD and clearly didn’t even see the officer. ♂️
(: @NickBromberg) pic.twitter.com/xTdlW1LY10
Suffice to say, viewers were not pleased with the officer’s antics. LeBron James was one of his loudest critics, taking to X — the website formerly known as Twitter — to express his displeasure.
UPDATED SCENARIOS: ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | SEC
That A&M cop needs to suspended! That was premeditated and corny AF!! ♂️. He went out his way to start some shit. Do better man
He wasn’t the only one dismayed. Social media was abuzz with condemnation for the officers’ actions.
What is this move by the Texas sheriff? Goes through two players elbows out and aggressively points them back to the field? Does he have Texas A&M moneyline? South Carolina Gamecocks rolling them. Settle down Buford T. Justice, you are not in hot pursuit of Nyck Harbor pic.twitter.com/kGGCkADCpb
the cop that pressed nyck harbor pic.twitter.com/LkLGHdyXKc
Smh. Local cops in College Station. Probably mad because Nyck Harbor makes more money than he does. pic.twitter.com/fVGtshEbFl
The officer was summarily removed from the game, according to a statement released by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The DPS’ Office of Inspector General is also slated to look into the offense.
MORE: Updated SEC standings and champioship game tiebreakers
Harbor reentered the game after undergoing a brief examination from South Carolina’s trainers. Before the game ended, he was seen walking into the locker room with a trainer.
Following the game, head coach Shane Beamer offered an update on Harbor’s injury.
“As I walked in here, the plan was to take him to the hospital,” Beamer said. “Just saw him in the training room with his dad. He landed on the sideline, and the guy came down on his chest. So I think they just want to, from a precautionary standpoint, make sure everything’s OK. So keep him in your prayers.”
The identity of the Texas state trooper involved in the incident has not been reported. The officer was sent home from the game after the run-in with Harbor, with the Office of Inspector General saying in a statement it would be “further looking into the matter” but not releasing any more information for the time being.
The long-term job status of the state trooper involved in the incident with Harbor isn’t clear, but there aren’t any indications he has been fired to this point. The Office of Inspector General said no more information would be released for the time being, beyond word that the individual had been sent home from game-day duties and was under investigation.
David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.