UAB football players stabbed by teammate at team facility before game against USF

Two UAB football players suffered stab wounds in an incident that occurred at the school's football facility on Saturday morning, according to AL.com. The suspect, another UAB player, is in custody, the school said in a statement. The two injured players are in stable condition after being transported to UAB Hospital with non-life-threatening wounds. An investigation into the incident is underway.

The school has not identified any of the players involved, but Jefferson County (Ala.) jail records show that Daniel Mincey, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman from Pompano Beach, Florida, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and attempted murder. Mincey, who spent his freshman season at Kentucky before transferring to UAB, was booked at 12:40 p.m. Saturday and remains in custody. 

"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. The suspect -- another player -- remains in custody and an investigation is taking place," the school statement reads, via ESPN.  

The incident occurred hours before the Blazers were scheduled to play South Florida at 3 p.m. ET at Protective Stadium in Birmingham. The team elected to proceed with the game as scheduled, the school said. 

"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 statement says.

After the game, a 48-18 loss for the Blazers, interim coach Alex Mortensen addressed the incident and how his team responded throughout the day. While the team overall chose to play, Mortensen noted that several players opted to sit out, a decision that he and his staff respected.

In his opening statement, Mortensen expressed gratitude that both injured players were in stable condition.

"More than anything, I'm just grateful that those two players are in stable condition, and we will make sure that they have the support that they need," Mortensen said. "I hope you will join me in lifting them and their families in your thoughts and prayers, as our team is doing. I also ask that you respect their privacy as they deal with what happened."

Mortensen added that the school will provide "support and resources" for all players affected by the incident. Asked why the team chose to play the game in light of the morning's events, Mortensen said the players wanted to make sure the seniors got to play one more home game.

"We spoke as a team, and we spoke with the team," Mortensen said. "Those guys really wanted to play today. The conversation really came back to the seniors. With it being senior day, they really wanted to play for them and give them an opportunity to go out and compete and play. That was really the biggest thing."

Despite the result on the field, Mortensen said he was proud of how his team came together and supported one another. He understands there will be frustration after a lopsided loss, but Mortensen wanted to credit his team for fighting through terrible circumstances.

"I think the thing that was evident to me was these guys love each other," Mortensen said. "This team is close. They really care for each other. I would say this too. I'm not one to lecture fans or any of that. This is a profession that's about competing and winning. I know there are going to be people who are frustrated.

"But I do hope that, the guys who went out there and fought today, they respect what they did and understand what they went through today and how hard they fought. And how much they care about each other and representing this university and this program well. I think they went out there and did it with class today. I really did."

UAB still has one more game remaining on its schedule, a road game at Tulsa next weekend, and Mortensen said his team will be ready.

"We're gonna go compete," Mortensen said. "That's the way I'm wired. That's the way I've always been wired. We're gonna get to work, and I think the guys will too."