Gamecocks’ Oscar Adaway files criminal complaint after Texas trooper incident
Just over a month after a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper caused a scene by elbowing a pair of South Carolina football players during the Gamecocks’ game at Texas A&M, one of those USC players — running back Oscar Adaway III — has filed a criminal complaint against that trooper.
The incident in question happened on Nov. 15 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor caught an 80-yard touchdown just before halftime and, upon scoring the touchdown, ran through the end zone and into a tunnel at the stadium.
Adaway, along with wide receivers Vandrevius Jacobs and Jayden Sellers, ran to celebrate with Harbor in the tunnel. While the quartet was walking back to the field, a trooper walked in between Adaway and Harbor with his elbows out and made contact with both of them.
He then spun around and pointed his finger at Harbor and began yelling at him, “Get out of here!” Adaway appeared to respond to the officer and then moved forward to put himself between Harbor and the trooper.
Later that afternoon, the Texas DPS said in a statement that the trooper was sent home from the game and noted that the state’s Office of Inspector General would be further looking into the matter.
Since then, Adaway has retained Houston-based attorney B. Keith Jackson, who he’s known for years. Adaway and Jackson’s son BK were running backs at North Texas together. The families have been close ever since, so close that Jackson was sitting with Adaway’s father at the Texas A&M game.
Jackson said Adaway approached him about taking legal action.
“We are seeking a level of accountability by this officer for his flagrant actions towards my client,” Jackson told The State on Friday. “He was there to protect the public and he assaulted the public. He assaulted the student-athlete.”
Jackson said the legal action was filed Dec. 12. A criminal complaint is a filing that could precede actual charges and a possible arrest. Adaway is not looking for any financial compensation, Jackson said.
“God forbid,” Jackson said, “this officer be out on a stop late at night, or a stop at any time, and not have 110,000 people watching him, let alone millions on television. ... We want to make sure that he’s re-trained. We want to make sure that he’s accountable. We want to make sure that he’s punished — to be quite candid with you — for what he did.”
Reached via phone on Thursday night, Adaway told The State that he wanted to wait until after the season to file the complaint.
“Really didn’t want it to be a distraction during the season,” he said.
After the incident, Adaway said he spoke with South Carolina’s team psychiatrist about the incident.
“I’m staying strong, man,” Adaway said. “It was just a big incident for, one, my people and, two, for humankind. ... It was kind of awful seeing that on national television, especially from a person with that type of authority.”
When asked about what affect the incident had on Adaway, Jackson admitted it has “been psychologically and mentally taxing” on the 25-year-old and contributed to the fact that he played sparingly following the Texas A&M game (He didn’t log an offensive snap in the season finale against Clemson).
“(He’s been) trying to find a way to compartmentalize that as he prepares for his Pro Day and potentially being a prospect in the NFL,” Jackson said.
The incident gained social media attention rapidly, with NBA star LeBron James quickly taking to X and writing: “That A&M cop needs to suspended! That was premeditated and corny AF!!. He went out his way to start some sh(--). Do better man.”
Others — like ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith and former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel — followed suit with their thoughts.
Adaway’s college football career wrapped up in late November. He played five seasons at North Texas before spending the past two years with the Gamecocks. He rushed for 140 yards this season.
The State’s Chapel Fowler contributed reporting.
This story was originally published December 19, 2025 at 9:33 AM.
