A community in Lancaster, Texas is mourning the loss of a beloved coach who died when shots were fired at a youth football game on Saturday. Family and friends, who are dedicating tributes on social media, have identified the coach as Mike Hickmon.
Video of the tragic incident shows multiple referees first trying to calm an agitated adult on the field. The dispute then escalated when several other adults engaged in a brawl on a separate area of the field. Seconds later, multiple shots can be heard in the background.
Deepest condolences with thoughts and prayers to the family, friends, former teammates, and players of Coach Mike Hickmon, who was tragically murdered at a little league football game that took place yesterday evening in Lancaster Texas.. The adults are always ruining it for kids pic.twitter.com/easHjoeQk7
— Black Flyte Time (@FlyteBlack) August 14, 2022
The suspected gunman has been identified by witnesses as Yaqub Talib, brother of former NFL Super Bowl winner, Aqib Talib. Yaqub, who witnesses identified in the video wearing all black, is said to be a youth coach on an opposing team. Lancaster PD has identified the man in the video as Yaqub Talib and issued a warrant. He is now wanted on a murder charge, TMZ reports.
Aqib was also in attendance during the incident but did not appear to be involved in the scuffle leading to the tragic loss of life.
Tributes continue to pour in for Coach Hickmon, who was beloved by the youth and parents in the community. One woman remembers Hickmon as a beloved track-and-field coach.
“I never went to track practice just use to show up and run! Mike took me off to the side and gave me real technical training and they turned us into beast,” the woman wrote on Facebook.
“What happened at that football field was senseless and uncalled for!” another heartbroken person said, adding that Hickmon made his mark as an athlete and as an inspiring coach.
Many more people have been going to social media to express their sorrow while also showing gratitude for the coach who made a difference in their life.
“You looked out for me when I first got to Denton and was always there. A solid stand-up guy gone too soon,” one person wrote.
Other social media users have been condemning the adults who were involved in the altercation.
Little league sports are ruined by the parents
— St. John (@Jeffbear80) August 14, 2022
Sad is an understatement. Sometimes, the coaches on these youth football teams are the only example of a Black Man these kids see consistently. The purpose of them coaching is not only to teach football but model the behavior a young man should have. Praying for all involved.
— Big Russ (@BigDawgQuiet1) August 14, 2022
This is sickening because these folks didn’t even care if their own kids were there smh
— 🥭𝔽𝕀ℕ𝔼, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒.🥭 (@weLOVEsue) August 14, 2022
What made them this angry? What happened did their child’s team lose? Penalty??? This is crazy
— 7 (@LookingForCharo) August 14, 2022
According to TMZ, police said there is an active warrant for the arrest of a man named Yaqub Talib, who is identified as the brother of former NFL star Aqib Talib.
“Aqib was present when this unfortunate incident occurred and is very distraught and devastated over this terrible loss of life,” the attorney of the NFL veteran told TMZ. “He would like to convey his condolences to the family of the victim and to everyone who witnessed this unfortunate tragedy.”
