Brother of ex-NFL cornerback Aqib Talib pleads guilty to murder charges stemming from altercation last August

The brother of retired NFL cornerback Aqib Talib has pleaded guilty to the murder of a coach at a 2022 Texas youth football game, prosecutors said.

Yaqub Salik Talib, 40, pleaded guilty Thursday to the charge of shooting 43-year-old Michael Hickmon, according to Claire Crouch, a spokesperson for the Dallas County District Attorney’s office.

She said Talib agreed to a 37-year prison sentence and will be sentenced in August.

A lawyer for Talib did not immediately respond to a telephone message asking for comment on Friday.

Aqib was sued for $1 million by Hickmon’s family, who say he sparked the altercation.

Aqib (above) is being sued by the victim’s family – as they claim Aqib started a fight

That fight led to the death of football coach, Mike Hickmon, 43, in August 2022

Last August, police said witnesses saw Yaqub pull out a gun and repeatedly shoot Hickmon during an adult brawl at a youth soccer game in the Dallas suburb of Lancaster.

Police said the fight was prompted by a disagreement between opposing coaching staff over calls from the crew on duty, but an official for one of the teams later said it started when Hickmon went to fetch a football and someone kicked him.

As described in the lawsuit, and confirmed by police testimony, 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, leading to a touchdown on the next play, which reportedly prompted the Talib brothers to go verbally and physically abusive.

Officials decided to end the game, after which Hickmon was reportedly confronted by Aqib, who threw a punch at the rival coach.

Hickmon is said to have backed away from Aqib, when Yuqub reportedly pulled out a gun and shot Hickmon multiple times.

Hickmon, who was reportedly unarmed, was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead soon after.

Yaqub Talib left the field after the shooting and later turned himself in to police. His lawyer said at the time that his client “regrets the tragic loss of life” but surrendered to “have a chance to say his side of the story.

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 soccer circuit, and Realford Consulting LLC, a league co-owner

Aqib (R) had an appearance with Fox & Thursday Night Football in 2022, but pulled out after the fight

The lawsuit alleges that the “Talib brothers are no strangers to gun violence and their history of criminal activity and violent behavior is well documented.”

Yaqub, for example, was on probation at the time of the shooting and was prohibited by law from carrying a handgun.

Despite these facts, the Talib defendants were permitted and approved by defendants to coach and otherwise participate in the running of teams in the Big XII League. The defendants’ decisions and failures directly and proximally caused the death of Michael Hickmon and the severe and likely permanent injuries his family will have to bear for the rest of their lives,” the lawsuit said.

Drafted in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft from Kansas, Aqib had a successful career spanning 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 2016, but he finished his career with 35 interceptions and five Pro Bowl selections.

He earned $55 million in salary during his NFL career, according to Spotrac, and had a broadcast on Fox Sports until he stepped down after the shooting.