The fallout from a tense game-day encounter at Texas A&M has taken a serious turn, with South Carolina running back Oscar Adaway now filing a criminal complaint against a Texas State Trooper following an incident during the Gamecocks' narrow 31-30 loss to the Aggies.
Adaway, who was involved in what’s being described as a hostile interaction with the officer, is seeking an apology and pressing for assault charges. His legal counsel, B. Keith Jackson, confirmed the move, stating that the Brazos County district attorney has received the complaint and is currently reviewing whether to pursue formal charges.
The incident, which also involved South Carolina freshman Nyck Harbor, drew widespread attention - even prompting a reaction from LeBron James on social media. While Harbor has declined to comment on whether the situation has been resolved, Adaway has spoken publicly about the emotional toll the event has taken on him.
“You see this sort of thing on TV - different scenarios of police bullying people here and there - but you never feel it and understand it until you’re actually in the situation,” Adaway told The Washington Post. He added that the encounter left him shaken enough to seek mental health support and that it had disrupted his sleep in the days following the game.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has launched an investigation into the matter but has yet to release the name of the trooper involved. What is known is that the officer was sent home following the incident - a move that suggests Texas A&M officials took the matter seriously in the immediate aftermath.
South Carolina athletics director Jeremiah Donati issued a statement acknowledging Texas A&M’s cooperation. “We know the staff and gameday operations team at Texas A&M work extremely hard to provide a safe environment for student-athletes and fans,” Donati said. “We appreciate their communication and immediate action taken following the incident that took place.”
Adaway, for his part, has made it clear he’s not just looking for disciplinary action - he wants a personal apology from the officer involved. That request underscores the emotional weight of the moment for the young running back, who found himself at the center of a confrontation that extended far beyond the field.
As the investigation continues and the district attorney weighs the next steps, this story remains one to watch. It’s a reminder that for college athletes, the pressures of game day can sometimes be compounded by circumstances that have nothing to do with football - and that accountability, wherever it’s needed, matters just as much off the field as on it.