Florida A&M Resumes Football Activities amid Investigation into Locker Room Rap Video
Jul 24, 2023
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 04: Head Coach Willie Simmons of the Florida A&M Rattlers talk with the media during the post game press conference after the game against the Jackson State Tigers during the Denny's Orange Blossom Classic Game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 04, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Rattlers 59 to 3. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
After all football activities at Florida A&M were suspended by head coach Willie Simmons on Friday night due to the release of a rap video filmed in the team's locker room, the school announced that team activities have been cleared to resume on Tuesday.
The school's announcement stated that an investigation into the unauthorized video is ongoing.
Florida A&M players cleared to return to team activities on Tuesday, after they were suspended by Coach Willie Simmons on Friday https://t.co/QHmXL4DJyf
According to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, the video was released by Real Boston Richey for his song "Send A Blitz." The song contained references to guns and drugs plus sexually explicit lyrics.
In addition to several Florida A&M players being featured in the video, Richey was among multiple people seen wearing a Rattlers helmet and he also wore a team polo shirt that included the Nike logo. Also, the song's promo art on Apple Music includes Florida A&M's green and orange color scheme and appears to be a football play design, per Gerald Thomas III of the Tennessee Democrat.
Simmons said in a statement that the video contained "graphic language that is not consistent with Florida A&M's core values, principles and beliefs and an internal investigation is underway to determine who authorized the use of not only the athletic facility at Galimore-Powell, but also licensed apparel that potentially violates university branding and licensing agreements."
Simmons added that while he is "a proud proponent of free speech" and supports "all forms of musical expressions," he believes the football team "has a responsibility to protect the University's image."
Florida A&M is coming off a 9-2 finish to last season and will begin its 2023 campaign on Sept. 3 against Jackson State.
Florida A&M Suspends Football Activities After Rap Video Was Filmed in Locker Room
Jul 22, 2023
Florida A&M head coach Willie Simmons stands on the field during the first half of the Orange Blossom Classic NCAA college football game against Jackson State, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Florida A&M has suspended all football-related activities following the release of a rap video that was filmed in the team's locker room without proper authorization.
In a statement from head coach Willie Simmons, the video was filmed by a "prominent rapper" and contained "graphic language that is not consistent with Florida A&M's core values, principles and beliefs and an internal investigation is underway to determine who authorized the use of not only the athletic facility at Galimore-Powell, but also licensed apparel that potentially violates university branding and licensing agreements."
— Coach Willie Simmons (@HCWillieSimmons) July 22, 2023
Per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, the video was from Real Boston Richey for his song "Send A Blitz" and features the rapper in the locker room wearing a Rattlers' t-shirt and team helmet.
Several Florida A&M players were also featured in the video.
The song contains sexually explicit lyrics, as well as references to guns and dealing drugs. The video features Richey and others donning a Florida A&M helmet. Richey is also wearing a Rattlers' polo t-shirt with the Nike logo and khakis.
Simmons' statement noted he is "a proud proponent of free speech" and supports "all forms of musical expressions," but the football team "has a responsibility to protect the University's image."
Gerald Thomas III of the Tennessee Democrat noted the song title promo on Apple Music is in Rattlers' orange and green and features a diagram for what appears to be a football play design.
The school has opened an investigation into how the locker room was able to be accessed for the filming of Real Boston Richey's video.
Florida A&M has claimed 16 national titles and has won 37 conference titles. Simmons is entering his fifth season with the program. He has a 33-12 record with one appearance in the FCS playoffs in 2021.
The Rattlers are scheduled to open the 2023 season on Sept. 3 against Jackson State.
Isaiah Land NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Florida A&M EDGE
Apr 10, 2023
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 04: Linebacker Isaiah Land #31 of the Florida A&M Rattlers is blocked by Tackle Willis Patrick #72 of the Jackson State Tigerss during the Orange Blossom Classic Game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 04, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Rattlers 59-3. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'3 1/2"
WEIGHT: 236
HAND: 9 1/4"
ARM: 32 1/2"
WINGSPAN: 77"
40-YARD DASH: 4.62
3-CONE: 7.2
SHUTTLE: 4.56
VERTICAL: 34.5"
BROAD: 10'6"
POSITIVES
– Great production as a pass-rusher with 19 sacks in 2021.
– Good get-off, quick to react to the snap and accelerates off the line of scrimmage well.
– Sets up his pass rush moves well by getting to square on the offensive lineman during the stem phase of the rush.
– Quick twitched and a good athlete to flush out an inside stick move.
– Also has a nice inside spin move that he can win with.
– Has good angles as a rusher and a pretty flexible lower half for good bend to take an efficient path to the quarterback. This helps as the looper in line games, too.
– Against the run, he's quick to get his hands up, is physical at the point of attack and strong enough to take on blocks from tight ends.
NEGATIVES
– Lacks size for an NFL edge, he needs to add weight to hold up as a run defender versus offensive linemen.
– Takes on blocks with high pad level and stops his feet on contact. He's going to struggle to anchor versus offensive tackles.
– Struggles to shed/get off blocks from offensive linemen.
– Inconsistent with the timing and accuracy of his hands when working finesse moves. He'll miss, and tackles will make the first significant contact more often than not.
– Bad pass-rush-lane integrity. He will duck inside and lose outside against mobile quarterbacks.
– 2022 Honors: All-SWAC First-Team Defense, FCS Coaches All-American First Team
– 2021 Honors: Buck Buchannan Award Winner (best FCS defender), First-Team FCS All-American, SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-SWAC
OVERALL
Isaiah Land burst on to the scene in 2021 as one of the most productive pass-rushers in the country with 19 sacks in 12 games. He wasn't quite as active this past season but still managed to rack up eight sacks and finished his college career with 29 in three seasons.
Land is a good athlete who can contribute as a third-down rusher, but his lack of size and strength will be a major issue as a run defender in the NFL. He does have room for growth on his frame, but he needs to add about 15 to 20 more pounds to become an "every-down" player at the next level, which could significantly impact his athleticism.
The Florida A&M product did show some position versatility at the Senior Bowl by taking a few reps as an off-ball linebacker, so some teams may ask him to switch positions. He has the traits of someone who could contribute on special teams, too, giving clubs more reasons to take a chance on him in the later rounds of the draft.
Xavier Smith Stars as Team Robinson Wins HBCU Legacy Bowl Ahead of 2023 NFL Draft
Feb 26, 2023
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: A detailed view of footballs on the sideline prior to the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Don't be surprised to hear Xavier Smith's name called on NFL draft day.
The Florida A&M wide receiver led Team Robinson to a 10-3 victory over Team Gaither in the 2023 HBCU Legacy Bowl at Tulane University's Yulman Stadium in New Orleans on Saturday. The HBCU Legacy Bowl is an all-star game put in place to highlight the best NFL draft-eligible players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and nobody stood out more than Smith.
He finished with eight catches for 92 yards and the game's only touchdown, which broke up a defensive battle.
Smith's performance drew rave reviews:
Xavier Smith scores the first touchdown of the HBCU Legacy bowl.
Xavier Smith with the biggest play of the day here at the @HBCULegacyBowl with a huge catch down the left sideline. He might be undersized, but he’ll go get the ball. Overheard after the catch “He’s different.”
The teams were named after legendary HBCU head coaches Jake Gaither (Florida A&M) and Eddie Robinson (Grambling State), and much of the attention was on the top draft prospects heading into the contest.
Jordan Reid of ESPN noted players participated in the second annual HBCU combine on Monday, which gave NFL teams the opportunity to evaluate them in preparation for the draft. Reid also listed Alabama State cornerback Keenan Isaac, Virginia State running back Darius Hagans and Fort Valley State running back Emanuel Wilson as some of the top prospects to watch alongside Smith.
Yet even with multiple top running backs and talented pass-catchers on the field, it was a defensive battle at the start.
The front sevens in particular stood out, as the two teams combined for 30 yards on 26 carries in a first half that ended in a 3-3 tie. There was nowhere to go for Hagans, Wilson and others, although NFL teams surely noticed the linebackers and defensive linemen plugging holes along the line of scrimmage.
Yet it was just a matter of time before one of the offenses broke through, and Team Robinson finally found the end zone late in the third quarter when Larry Harrington found Smith for a 22-yard score.
That it was Smith who broke through came as no surprise. He starred for the Rattlers during the past season with 87 catches for 1,021 yards and 11 touchdowns and has the speed to beat almost any defensive back downfield. He looked the part of a future slot receiver who uses his ability to turn on the jets to burn opposing secondaries at the next level.
Team Robinson's defense held strong from there and secured the win.
FAMU to Be Without 20 Players Against North Carolina Because of Eligibility Issues
Aug 26, 2022
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 05: A FAMU helmet sits atop a table during the Orange Blossom Classic game between the Florida A&M Rattlers and the Jackson State Tigers on Sunday September 5th, 2021 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Even at full strength, the Florida A&M Rattlers figured to have their hands full during Saturday's matchup against the ACC's North Carolina Tar Heels, but they reportedly will be far from it.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, a FAMU spokesperson said the program will be down 20 players because of eligibility issues. What's more, it will have just eight eligible offensive linemen.
Competing without 20 players will be a daunting task for the Rattlers, and the idea of canceling the game surely came to mind for some.
Thamel shared a statement from head coach Willie Simmons suggesting university leadership may have talked the players into playing:
Statement from FAMU coach Willie Simmons to ESPN: “After final certification of our entire team late last night, we were made aware that 7 of our Offensive Lineman were deemed ineligible. When you consider that 3 others are nursing injuries, that only leaves us with 7 healthy…
After a few more discussions with university leadership, including the president of the university, the players ultimately decided to play the game. I support these young men 100% in whatever they decide and I’m extremely proud of them for advocating for themselves!”
David Hale of ESPN pointed out canceling would mean the program would have to forfeit the payout it will receive from North Carolina, face a cancellation penalty and lose any travel fees it has already paid—approximately one-tenth of its annual athletics budget.
C.L. Brown of the Charlotte Observer noted North Carolina will pay FAMU $450,000 for the game. What's more, Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown pushed for the Rattlers to bring their famed marching band.
"The Marching 100s is one of the best bands ever—it may be the best," Brown said. "They've played at the Grammys, they've played at a Super Bowl, and they're gonna play in pregame by themselves and then with our band, and then the same at halftime. So everybody needs to get there early. And make sure we honor the Marching 100 and enjoy and appreciate their band."
Florida A&M impressed last season at 9-3, finishing strong after a 1-2 start. Saturday's game represented an opportunity for it to make a statement on a national stage, especially after head coach and quarterbacks coach Willie Simmons named former Hawaii and Vanderbilt quarterback Jeremy Moussa as the Rattlers' starter.
As for the Tar Heels, they are looking to bounce back from a 6-7 season and perhaps win double-digit games for just the second time since the 1997 season.
They will need to win if they plan on doing that since they will still have to face Notre Dame, Miami, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest and North Carolina State.
