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SEC, South Carolina suspend Gamecocks' edge rush Dylan Stewart 1 game for punch

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SEC, South Carolina suspend Gamecocks' edge rush Dylan Stewart 1 game for punch
Sport

Sport

SEC, South Carolina suspend Gamecocks' edge rush Dylan Stewart 1 game for punch

2026-09-29 07:41 Last Updated At:07:51

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The Southeastern Conference and South Carolina have jointly suspended Gamecocks edge rusher Dylan Stewart for throwing a punch at an Alabama player over the weekend.

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer suspended Stewart indefinitely on Sunday for punching Alabama tight end Josh Ford in the helmet in the fourth quarter of the Gamecocks’ 49-18 loss at No. 7 Alabama on Saturday. Beamer already ruled Stewart out for Saturday's game against No. 24 Kentucky prior to the one-game suspension issued on Monday.

“Dylan Stewart’s egregious contact reflects behavior that is unacceptable and not aligned with the standards of the Southeastern Conference,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “Such action against an opponent carries a serious risk of injury and has no place in our conference competition. This suspension is appropriate, and any future misconduct by Dylan Stewart will result in more severe disciplinary action.”

The one-game suspension is separate from Beamer's indefinite suspension.

Stewart was an Associated Press preseason All-America first-team pick and is widely projected to be a first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft. He missed the first two games of the season because of a back injury.

“Our expectation at South Carolina, is that our student-athletes conduct themselves with the highest level of integrity at all times,” South Carolina athletic director Jeremiah Donati said. “Keeping one’s composure, even in the most competitive environments, is our standard. That standard was not met in this instance and we support the league’s decision along with our head coach’s decision regarding the current disciplinary measures enacted in this case.”

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FILE - South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart (6) lines up against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Sept. 26, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)

FILE - South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart (6) lines up against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Sept. 26, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has asked the Department of Homeland Security to take down a video on social media showing highlights of Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins in reference to a purported caravan of immigrants approaching the U.S. border.

The video posted on Sunday shows Dawkins' pregame walkout as he chants “The time has come,” followed by a series of big hits. The DHS post includes the caption “Our time has come.”

“The league has requested the DHS take down the video,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Monday.

Dawkins was a nine-time Pro Bowler and five time All-Pro safety during 16 NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos before retiring in 2011.

DHS released a statement saying the United States Border Patrol “is actively tracking" a group of migrants coming from Honduras and used football jargon to add the department "is playing lockdown defense" at the border.

The statement did not address the NFL's request to take down the video, which had not been deleted as of Monday evening.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

FILE - Former Philadelphia Eagles' Brian Dawkins looks on during practice at NFL football training camp at the team's training facility in Philadelphia, July 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)

FILE - Former Philadelphia Eagles' Brian Dawkins looks on during practice at NFL football training camp at the team's training facility in Philadelphia, July 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)

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