The two University of Alabama at Birmingham football players allegedly stabbed by their teammate hours before a game have been released from hospital.
Court documents identified the two players as defensive linemen Josh Underwood – a freshman – and JaSire Peterson – a redshirt sophomore.
Daniel Israel Mincey was arrested and booked into the Jefferson County Jail on charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder following the shocking incident, which occurred hours before UAB’s home game against South Florida.
Interim head coach Alex Mortensen revealed the positive health update on Monday, telling reporters: ‘I’ve had the opportunity to sit with our injured players and their families, and they are okay with me telling you that they have left the hospital and are recovering. They appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers.’
Mincey, himself a 6 foot 3, 315lb lineman, was pictured in a haunting mugshot on Sunday, a day after the shocking incident occurred.
The UAB Police and Public Safety is handling the investigation into the alleged assault and attempted murder at the team’s practice facility.
The UAB football player accused of stabbing two of his teammates was pictured on Sunday
Mincey transferred to UAB after redshirting his freshman year at the University of Kentucky.
‘We’re grateful to report that two players injured in an incident this morning at the Football Operations Building are in stable condition. Our thoughts are with them and their families as they recover,’ a statement from the school read on Saturday.
‘The suspect – another player – remains in custody, and an investigation is taking place. The team elected to play today’s game. UAB’s top priority remains the safety and well-being of all of our students. Given patient privacy and the ongoing investigation, we have no further comment at this time.’
The Blazers’ game against USF still went ahead as scheduled at Protective Stadium at 2pm local time, with the visitors running out dominant 48-18 winners.
The incident occurred shortly after 10am at the team’s facility, hours before they played USF
‘I do want to address what happened this morning,’ interim UAB coach Mortenson said after the game. ‘As you’ve heard, we have one player in police custody and two players who are in stable condition after sustaining injuries.
‘More than anything, I’m grateful that those two players are in stable condition, and we will make sure that they have the support that they need. I hope you will join me in lifting them and their families in your thoughts and prayers as our team is doing right now too.
‘I also ask that you’ll please respect their privacy as they deal with what happened.’
‘The team as a whole decided that they wanted to play today,’ Mortenson added. ‘But we did have several players who understandably chose to sit out – and we certainly respect that decision.’
