On Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, a controversial incident unfolded during the college football game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Texas A&M Aggies, overshadowing what became one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent Southeastern Conference (SEC) history. The incident involved a Texas state trooper and South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor following a long touchdown run, leading to the officer being relieved of his game-day duties and sparking widespread criticism, including from NBA superstar LeBron James.
The drama began when South Carolina’s Nyck Harbor caught a pass and sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown, putting the Gamecocks ahead 27-3 early in the game. Harbor, however, immediately grabbed his right hamstring after scoring and appeared to be in some discomfort as he made his way toward the tunnel at Kyle Field. Several of his teammates accompanied him, and Harbor walked gingerly, signaling a possible injury.
As Harbor and running back Oscar Adaway III walked back toward the field, a Texas state trooper approached them, physically interjecting and making contact with the players. The officer then scolded Harbor, who briefly turned back but continued moving toward the field. The interaction was caught on camera and quickly drew attention. In response, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced on the social platform X (formerly Twitter) that the trooper had been relieved of his game-day assignment and sent home pending further review.
The incident also caught the eye of LeBron James, who took to X to condemn the officer’s behavior in strong terms. James called for the officer’s suspension, stating, "That A&M cop needs to suspended! That was premeditated and corny AF!! He went out his way to start some s---. Do better man." His comments amplified the debate around the role and conduct of law enforcement at sporting events, especially involving interactions with players.
While the controversy simmered, the game itself turned into a historic contest. Despite South Carolina’s commanding 27-3 lead following Harbor’s touchdown — a lead that briefly extended to 30-3 — the third-ranked Texas A&M Aggies mounted an astonishing comeback. The Aggies outscored the Gamecocks 28-0 in the second half, completing the largest comeback in the program’s history.
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed played a pivotal role in the comeback. After a difficult first half where he threw two interceptions and had a fumble returned for a touchdown, Reed rebounded spectacularly, throwing for a career-high 439 yards and three touchdowns. His resurgence kept the Aggies’ hopes alive and propelled the team toward a 10-0 undefeated record for the season.
This remarkable rally surpassed a previous record comeback by Texas A&M, which was led by Johnny Manziel in the 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl when the Aggies overcame a 21-point deficit against Duke. Notably, before this game, no SEC team had ever come back from a deficit of 27 points or more in conference play since 2004, underscoring the rarity and significance of Texas A&M’s achievement.
The comeback culminated in the fourth quarter with running back EJ Smith scoring a crucial 4-yard touchdown run, which gave Texas A&M the lead for the first time in the game with about 11 minutes remaining. The Aggies then advanced to the South Carolina 1-yard line, but a trick play backfired when Jamarion Morrow fumbled the ball, and the Gamecocks recovered, keeping their slim hopes alive with roughly three minutes left on the clock.
South Carolina’s defense, however, could not hold. Defensive players Dalton Brooks and Cashius Howell sacked South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers on consecutive plays, forcing a critical fourth-and-16 situation with just about 90 seconds remaining. Sellers attempted to scramble on fourth down but was stopped short of the first down marker, effectively sealing the 31-30 victory for Texas A&M.
Sellers finished the game with 246 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a losing effort for the Gamecocks, who suffered their fifth straight defeat, dropping their record to 3-7 overall and 1-7 in the SEC.
The game’s outcome and the earlier off-field incident with the Texas state trooper sparked widespread discussion on sports and social media, highlighting both the thrilling unpredictability of college football and the ongoing scrutiny of law enforcement interactions in