The family of Michael Hickmon has filed a lawsuit against former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib, his brother Yaqub Talib, and the Big XII Youth Sports League.
Hickmon, 43, was a youth football coach for the Dragons Elite Academy who died after an altercation following a game earlier this year, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
It is alleged that former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib’s brother, Yaqub Talib, shot and killed Hickmon.
Aqib Talib played in the NFL for 11 years from 2008-2019, was a five-time Pro Bowler, and won a Superbowl in 2015 with the Denver Broncos.
Hickmon’s family is seeking $1 million from all three parties in damages for his death.
The incident occurred on August 13, 2022, at Lancaster Community Park, where the Dragons played the Bobcats, both teams being in the Big XII League.
Tensions ran high between players and coaches, the suit claims, with the Talib brothers allegedly becoming physically and verbally abusive.
The suit also suggests that when Hickmon went to retrieve his son’s football Aqib Talib, the former Pro Bowl cornerback confronted Hickmon and threw a punch.
After this, Yaqub Talib allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired approximately five shots from just a few feet away. Hickmon was hit multiple times in the back, chest, and forearm.
The victim was taken to Methodist Central Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The 39-year-old suspect, Yaqub Talib, was later charged with murder.
According to the suit, the family accuses the Big XII Sports League and Family Services of gross negligence, especially for failing to vet coaches, not forbidding weapons, not providing proper security measures, and not ensuring a safe and secure environment for its participants.
The family claims that any money awarded if the suit proves to be successful will go towards expenses, including those incurred during the victim’s medical treatment and later funeral, in addition to compensating for “past and future pain and mental anguish.”
A trial date for Yaqub Talib has not yet been set, and his lawyer has claimed the shooting occurred in self-defense.
The Dallas Express has contacted the Lancaster Police Department and the Dragons Elite Academy for additional information, but none was provided by the time of publication.
