On the morning of Saturday November 22, 2025, a shocking incident shook the halls of the UAB Blazers football program at University of Alabama at Birmingham: two of the team’s players were stabbed by a teammate at their own Football Operations Center. The victims were rushed to UAB Hospital and, by post-game statements, were listed in stable condition.
By afternoon, authorities had arrested 20-year-old redshirt freshman offensive lineman Daniel Mincey of UAB, according to Jefferson County jail records. Mincey, who transferred to UAB in May after spending a year at the Kentucky Wildcats, was booked on charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder. While UAB did not officially confirm his name in connection with the stabbing, the records and multiple reports link him to the incident.
The stabbing took place shortly after 10 a.m. at UAB’s Football Operations Building on campus. The university released a brief statement saying: *“We’re grateful to report that two players injured in an incident this morning … are in stable condition. Our thoughts are with them and their families as they recover. The suspect – another player – remains in custody, and an investigation is taking place.”*
Despite the gravity of the situation, the Blazers elected to proceed with their scheduled home game that afternoon against the South Florida Bulls at Protective Stadium in Birmingham. Interim head coach Alex Mortensen later explained that the decision was rooted in honoring the team’s seniors, though several players chose not to participate given the morning’s events.
Coach Mortensen publicly expressed relief for the injured players, saying: “More than anything, I’m grateful that those two players are in stable condition. We will make sure they have the support they need.” He also mentioned that counseling services had been offered. Following the physical and emotional strain, UAB lost the game 48-18, dropping their season record to 3-8 and 1-6 in the American Conference.
Mincey is listed at 6-foot-4, hailing from Pompano Beach, Florida. He appeared on UAB’s roster as a transfer from Kentucky. At the time of writing, details on the motive and the complete sequence of events remain under investigation by UAB Police and Jefferson County officials.
In the wake of this incident, the UAB football program faces not just the athletic ramifications of a late-season loss, but serious questions about team culture, campus safety, and how this event will impact the young men involved — both victims and the accused. The university emphasized there’s no ongoing threat to campus safety, and is maintaining confidentiality in line with privacy and investigative protocols.
More information is expected in the coming days as the investigation progresses and the legal process unfolds — for now, the focus remains on recovery, accountability, and the ripple effects of a startling event in collegiate athletics.
