A significant brawl broke out during the Grambling State and Bethune-Cookman game this past weekend. Disciplinary actions have been taken, affecting 27 players from both teams. Arguably the largest proponent of HBCUs in the national media, Cam Newton, had a very passionate response to the events of that game.
The SWAC has announced the suspensions as well as $25,000 and $40,000 fines levied against Bethune-Cookman and Grambling State respectively. While no specific names have been produced related to the suspensions, the division of suspensions has been. Nine players from Bethune-Cookman and 18 players from Grambling.
According to CBS Sports, after the game, Grambling State head coach Mickey Joseph defended his players’ actions in a way that has rubbed Newton the wrong way. “That’s the disrespect stuff,” Joseph said, via KNOE-TV’s Clay Witt. “We’re not going to tolerate disrespect here at Grambling. You won’t disrespect us. We’re going to meet disrespect with disrespect.”
In the aftermath of his comments, Joseph clarified that his statements were not intended to condone violence.
Newton had choice words for both programs
Newton took to his Wednesday podcast episode for 4th&1 With Cam Newton to address the melee and his complete disdain for the events that took place. His message was directed at both universities involved.
“I am extremely displeased at what took place. Why? Make no mistake about it. I have spoken in depth on equal opportunity. We’re sitting up here trying to get more access or more visibility to amplify the platform of HBCUs. If you are a representation of blackness and Black culture, you should look at this and say to yourself, this set us back.”
Cam Newton breaks down why Grambling State's head coach response to the HBCU brawl was a FIRABLE OFFENSE... And what's at stake when networks are watching.
— 4th&1 with Cam Newton (@4thand1show) November 12, 2025
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Newton went on to paint a picture of the gravity of the situation had this occurred on any number of national platforms from ESPN to Fox Sports to a number of subscription streaming services. Those platforms are who write the checks and passing approval of budgets. “And then we go and do something like this,” said Newton.
Newton then pivoted back to Joseph’s comments. Almost scoffing at the idea that disrespect validates the actions taken. Newton acted out the pushback that basically can be reduced down to, “they started it”, a concept Newton does not accept.
“All that is still amplified even more when the first chance you get a mic in front your face and you say disrespect will be matched with disrespect.”
Newton went in on Joseph’s apology on Monday, inquiring as to the motivation behind it. “What you apologizing for? Are you apologizing because someone above you said that’s not a good look and you need to apologize for that,” Newton said. “Or are you apologizing because that’s how you really feel?”
Newton believes allowing or supporting the fight is a firing offense
As the segment continued, Newton is seen getting louder and more animated as he progresses through his comments. He creates a hypothetical situation between Alabama and LSU where a ‘melee’ breaks out. Newton insists, you would never hear Kalen DeBoer and Frank Wilson going to the media to claim they were disrespected. Newton adding, “some things just don’t happen.”
“And I have to check myself sometimes, because, dare I be a hypocrite. There’s things even I can’t say or do publicly. There’s a cause and effect. What I’m sitting up here telling, is truth to power. You know you’re wrong. You’re dead wrong. I had a coach once tell me, behind every crazy player is a crazy parent. And behind every crazy player is a coach that allowed it.”
Newton and Peggy engaged in a sort of skit of them conceptually firing Joseph for his part in the altercation and comments afterwards. “I will not bs with this, this is a firing offense because them your players. I don’t care what somebody else did, it’s what you do. In retaliation. I’m going speak on how I feel. I know right from wrong, and that Grambling State and Bethune-Cookman… was wrong.”
While both teams will be shorthanded, Bethune-Cookman travels to Jackson State this Saturday with a 1:00pm ET start. Whereas Grambling State will travel to Alcorn State with a 3:00pm ET kickoff.