On Tuesday, January 5th, 2021, Brandon Miller, a senior guard for the University of Alabama basketball team, made headlines when his pregame introduction was interrupted by an overly aggressive pat-down by an unidentified security guard. The incident, which was caught on video, quickly went viral, leading to an investigation by the school and a response from head coach Nate Oats.
The video shows Miller, who was wearing a warm-up jacket, being patted down by a security guard who, according to Oats, was not part of the school’s security team. The guard then proceeds to pat down Miller’s lower body, including his groin area, which Oats described as “not appropriate.”
In a statement released after the incident, Oats said, “We take the safety of our student-athletes very seriously and we are currently investigating the incident to ensure that proper protocols were followed. We do not condone any inappropriate behavior towards our student-athletes and we will take appropriate action once the investigation is complete.”
The incident has sparked a debate about security protocols at sporting events, with many questioning why such an aggressive pat-down was necessary in the first place. The incident also raises questions about the safety of student-athletes in general, especially those of color.
In the wake of the incident, the school has vowed to review its security protocols and make changes if necessary. Oats has also said that he will be speaking with Miller about the incident and will provide him with whatever support he needs.
The incident is a reminder of the need for increased security measures at sporting events and the importance of respecting student-athletes. It is also a reminder that incidents like this should not be taken lightly and that appropriate action must be taken to ensure the safety of all student-athletes.
