A fight that ended with Aqib Talib’s brother allegedly shooting and killing a youth football coach can have been began by the previous NFL cornerback.
Witnesses have reportedly told Rebecca Lopez of Dallas’ WFAA that Talib instigated the fight by crossing the sphere confronting the referees. The fight soon escalated, with one witness, coach Heith Mays, saying Talib threw the primary punch against Mike Hickmon, who was shot moments later.
From WFAA:
”He ran across the sphere and got on our sideline and got within the ref’s face.”
“He’s the one which threw out the primary punch, that is why you see Mike is running back attempting to defend himself.”
WFAA also has video of the brawl, through which an individual identified as Talib might be seen striking a person attempting to fight a bunch back with a down marker. Seconds later, a distinct man pulls out a handgun and shoots the person with the down marker. TMZ has one other video which shows the scene preceding the fight.
Talib’s lawyer released an announcement confirming his client was present on the shooting, saying he was “very distraught and devastated”:
“Aqib Talib was present when this unlucky incident occurred and may be very distraught and devastated over this terrible lack of life. He would really like to convey his condolences to the family of the victim and to everyone who witnessed this unlucky tragedy.”
Talib’s older brother, Yaqub Talib, was identified by Lancaster Police Department as a suspect within the shooting on Sunday. Yaqub voluntarily surrendered on the Dallas County Jail on Monday and now faces murder charges, per WFAA. His attorney reportedly plans to argue the shooting was in self-defense.
Aqib has credited his brother prior to now for helping nurture his football profession growing up, though each brothers have been involved in ugly incidents prior to now. WFAA says the 2 brothers have been investigated for multiple shootings prior to now, including one incident in 2016 when Aqib was concluded to have by accident shot himself in Las Vegas.
As an NFL player, Aqib played 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Recent England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams, making five Pro Bowls and winning a Super Bowl ring with the Broncos. In retirement, he was hired by Amazon in June as an analyst for its “Thursday Night Football” coverage this season.
Aqib Talib’s brother is facing murder charges for a deadly shooting at a youth football game. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
