Yakub Talib, who is also related to former professional NFL player Aqib Talib, surrendered himself days after the shooting and even took a plea deal before his trial.
The upcoming episode of “Murder Under The Friday Night Lights,” titled “Until Parents Get Involved,” will cover the shocking event that shakes a Texas community.
Highlights
- Murder Under The Friday Night Lights is set to cover the incident in which Yakub Talib shot coach Michael Hickman.
- Yakub Talib is the brother of retired NFL player Aqib Talib.
- Yakub was officially sentenced to 37 years.
It focuses on a tragic incident where a football coach, Michael Hickmon, is gunned down during a game by Yakub Talib.
This violent act raises serious questions about safety in youth sports and the impact of parental involvement.
The episode will officially be broadcast on Investigation Discovery on February 5, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET/PT.
Aqib Talib’s Brother Yakub Talib Pleaded Guilty To The Murder Of Coach Michael Hickmon
Yakub Salik Talib, 42, the brother of retired NFL cornerback Aqib Talib, 38, pleaded guilty to murder in the 2022 shooting death of coach Michael Hickmon, 43, on August 22, 2022, at a youth football game.
When the terrible incident occurred, Michael Hickman coached his son’s Pee Wee Football team of the Dragon Elite Academy Dragons.
On August 13, 2022, Michael’s son’s football team had a game against a team led by Yaqub and his brother Aqib Talib.
During the game, a disagreement emerged after Michael and his side felt that the referee made some wrong calls.
Deepest condolences with thoughts and prayers to the family, friends, former teammates, and players of Coach Mike Hickmon, who was tragically murdered at a little league football game that took place yesterday evening in Lancaster Texas.. The adults are always ruining it for kids pic.twitter.com/easHjoeQk7
— Black Flyte Time (@FlyteBlack) August 14, 2022
The disagreement transformed into a full-fledged brawl, which ended with Michael Hickmon being shot three times in front of the crowd.
Witnesses said the Talib brothers fought with Michael over a referee’s call.
The fight escalated, and Yaqub shot Michael in front of several children, including Michael’s then 9-year-old son.
Police said the fight was prompted by a disagreement between the opposing coaching staff over calls made by the officiating crew.
However, an official with one of the teams later said it began when Hickmon picked up a football, and someone kicked it away.
Michael was taken to the hospital, but he couldn’t survive the injuries. Days after the shooting, Yakub turned himself in. He was caught by police and charged with first-degree murder.
At the time, Clark Birdsall, the attorney for Yaqub Talib, released a statement on behalf of his client. He said,
Yaqub Talib “regrets the tragic loss of life but self surrendered this morning so that he may have the chance to say his side of the story.”
Clark Birdsall
But Birdsall did not provide any more details about Yaqub Talib’s perspective. As part of a plea agreement, Yaqub was sentenced to 37 years.
Aqib Talib was also in attendance when the shooting occurred, and his attorney released a statement to TMZ Sports, saying,
Aqib was present when this unfortunate incident occurred and is very distraught and devastated over this terrible loss of life,” Aqib Talib’s lawyer said in the statement. “He would like to convey his condolences to the family of the victim and to everyone who witnessed this unfortunate tragedy.”
Jay Reisinger
However, Aqib was not charged with any crimes but appeared in court for his brother’s sentencing.
Aqib won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos and made five trips to the Pro Bowl during his 12-year NFL career.
He retired ahead of the 2020 season and was set to work on Amazon Prime’s “Thursday Night Football” broadcast during the 2022 season.
However, Talib stepped away from that job to spend quality time with his family, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
Additional Information
- Aqib Talib married his girlfriend Gypsy Benitez on March 26, 2026, in a ceremony outside of Dallas, Texas. They have two children: a son, Jabril, and a daughter, Kiara.
- In March 2011, police in Garland, Texas, issued a felony warrant for Talib for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he was accused of firing a gun at his sister’s boyfriend. He was later released on $25,000 bond.
- Aqib made his professional regular debut in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season-opener at the New Orleans Saints and made one solo tackle in their 24-20 loss.
