After all football activities were halted due to an unauthorized music video shot at Florida A&M University, the university has cleared the team to resume.
On Friday, FAMU’s head football coach Willie Simmons released a statement announcing that all football-related activities after a rap video featuring some of the team’s players was shot without permission in the Rattlers’ locker room.
The video posted to Youtube was by rapper Real Boston Richey, titled “Send A Blitz.” In the video, the rapper appeared in the locker room wearing a Florida A&M shirt and team helmets, and several Florida A&M players are also seen in the background of the video.
In his statement, Simmons explained that the explicit language is the video does not reflect FAMU’s core values, principles and beliefs. “It is a privilege to wear the Orange and Green and as a football program, our young men have failed to live up to the standards set before us,” he said.
An internal investigation was launched to determine who allowed the use of the athletic facility and how the licensed apparel worn in the video could potentially violate Florida A&M licensing and branding agreements.
On Monday, Florida A&M announced that the investigation is ongoing and that football activity is allowed to resume.
“The FAMU Football team has been cleared to return to all football-related activity, effective Tuesday, July 25, 2023,” FAMU vice president and director of collegiate athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes said in a statement. “An investigation into the unauthorized video that was partially filmed in the football locker room is being led by the University’s Office of Compliance and Ethics. Since this is an ongoing investigation, no further comment can be shared at this time. In my role, I have been transparent with stakeholders and this time will be no different. I will make myself available for comment at the conclusion of the investigation.”
The Rattlers are slated to open fall camp on Aug. 4 and play against Jackson State University in the Orange Blossom Classic on Sept. 3.
