You don’t switch on the TV expecting to watch a brawl instead of a good game of football, but that was exactly what unfolded during Alabama’s clash against South Carolina. At the center of it all was Dylan Stewart, the star of Shane Beamer’s team, whose behavior against the Tide has led to an indefinite suspension from the team.

Stewart punching an Alabama tight end was just a minuscule part of what forced Beamer’s hand. On top of that, he didn’t follow orders from the coaching staff, refused to come off the field, and even appeared to have received some words from the head coach during the game. It’s unclear when he’ll return, and we’re already seeing a reaction from South Carolina fans. One, in particular, went a little extra.

Jordan Kaye, South Carolina correspondent for The State, discovered a gem online when he landed on a Facebook Marketplace ad. Posted a day ago by a user, the ad lists Stewart’s No. 6 jersey for a mere $100. This is a serious change from less than a month ago, when the Gamecock faithful were celebrating him as the star of Beamer’s defense.

Despite how much his absence might hurt the team’s defense, South Carolina fans are on board with the suspension being necessary. The whole thing put Shane Beamer in a tough spot when his own job is on the line after the defeat to the Tide. If he punishes Stewart, he’ll lose a star talent when South Carolina needs to win some games. If he doesn’t, other players may lose respect for the head coach. In the end, Beamer decided to take Stewart out of the team indefinitely.

Before the season, Dylan Stewart was being propped up as a top 10 pick for the 2027 NFL draft. However, that prediction will likely undergo some revision, considering his behavior in the 18-49 loss to Alabama.

While Stewart seemed disinterested at times, the brawl that caught everyone’s attention unfolded in the final minutes of the game when Alabama held a strong lead. In the fourth quarter, Stewart became frustrated after Daniel Hill ran in a 1-yard touchdown and took Alabama’s lead to 24 points. The next thing many saw was Stewart throwing a punch, or maybe many more, on the helmet of Alabama tight end Josh Ford.

Stewart was eventually suspended due to multiple instances of poor sportsmanship and insubordination. The SEC and the Gamecocks jointly issued a mandatory one-game suspension.

“Dylan Stewart’s egregious contact reflects behavior that is unacceptable and not aligned with the standards of the Southeastern Conference,” said Commissioner Greg Sankey 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.”

But this wasn’t all. Beamer noted that the indefinite suspension was handed down not just for the punch but for Stewart’s behavior toward the coaching staff. Stewart was seen arguing with Beamer and other coaches on the sideline. He walked away while Beamer was trying to speak to him and even refused to be subbed out of the game when teammate Julian Walker went to replace him. Stewart even pushed Walker away, and it took a lot of hassle for the coaches to finally get him out of the field.

“No, he’s not with the team right now. And to answer your question and (as for) Jordan’s question, his role or involvement on this team will be decided going forward by me. But right now, he’s not with the football team this week,” Beamer said.

The aftermath of the incident

Many analysts and scouts have raised serious concerns about Stewart losing his cool in a game. This is serious because this wasn’t the first time his on-field behavior led to penalties. In the 2025 season, when SC lost to Vanderbilt, Stewart was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. He was even ejected from the game after he shoved offensive tackle Bryce Henderson right in front of an official. 

When scouts analyze the incident, theý’re more likely to focus on the insubordination rather than the punch. That was a direct reflection of whether Stewart is coachable and if he will fit an NFL locker room.

Surprisingly, rather than holding a grudge, Josh Ford, who was punched, has brushed off this serious incident as a joke. In the end, they took the victory home, and that is what matters.

“Man, he’s a great player. We had a lot of fun today. I think he punched me three times, but it was awesome; it was a good battle,” Ford said after the game.