Yaqub Talib, the brother of former NFL star Aqib, has been sentenced to 37 years in prison for murdering another youth football coach during a 2022 scrimmage.
The 40-year-old agreed to plead guilty last month after being indicted on the charge and the 37-year sentence was a part of that plea bargain.
Yaqub shot and killed Michael Hickmon, 43, in an on-field argument nearly one year ago.
Aquib has been accused of instigating the fight during a youth football game, but has never been charged in the case.
He was sued for $1million by Hickmon’s family, who say that he incited the on-field altercation.
Yaqub Talib, the brother of ex-NFL cornerback Aqib Talib, pleaded guilty to murder in Texas
Aqib (above) is being sued by the family of the victim – as they allege Aqib started the fight
The fight lead to the shooting death of football coach, Mike Hickmon, 43, in August of 2022
‘Specifically, Defendant Aqib Talib started the brawl with Decedent that ultimately led to the fatal shooting by Yaqub Talib,’ read the lawsuit, obtained by DailyMail.com.
‘Under Texas law, the Talib Defendants are liable for the reasonably foreseeable results of their assault. In this case, it was negligent and foreseeable to Aqib Talib that his initial assault on Michael Hickmon would result in Yaqub Talib’s use of deadly force. Accordingly, the Talib Defendants are liable for damages to Plaintiffs.’
Hickmon’s family is seeking $1 million from the Talib brothers, as well as other defendants: The Big XII Youth Sports League, which operates the local youth football circuit, and Realford Consulting LLC, a part owner of the league.
As described in the lawsuit, and corroborated by witness testimony to police, tensions were high between Dragons Elite Academy, Hickmon’s team, and North Dallas United Bobcats, which was coached by the Talib brothers.
A late taunting penalty against the Bobcats gave the Dragons an unexpected first down, which led to a touchdown on the following play, allegedly prompting the Talib brothers to become verbally and physically abusive.
Officials decided to end the game, after which, Hickmon was allegedly confronted by Aqib, who threw a punch at the rival coach. Hickmon is said to have backed away from Aqib, which is when Yuqub allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Hickmon several times.
Hickmon, who is said to have been unarmed, was rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
The lawsuit claims that the ‘Talib brothers are no strangers to gun violence, and their histories of criminal activities and violent behavior are well-documented.’
Yaqub, for instance, was on probation at the time of the shooting and not legally allowed to carry a handgun.
‘Despite these facts, the Talib Defendants were allowed and approved by Defendants to coach and otherwise participate in the running of teams in the Big XII League. Defendants’ decisions and failures directly and proximately caused Michael Hickmon’s death and the severe, and likely permanent, injuries his family will have to live with the rest of their lives,’ read the lawsuit.
Aqib, who was drafted out of Kansas in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, had a successful career over 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins. Not only did he win a Super Bowl with the Broncos in February of 2016, but finished his career with 35 interceptions and five Pro Bowl selections.
He earned $55 million in salary over his NFL career, according to Spotrac, and had a broadcasting gig with Fox Sports until he stepped down following the shooting.
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