Florida A&M football has been given the green light to resume activities after an unauthorized rap video filmed in the team’s locker room resulted in a pause over the weekend. The Rattlers still track to open fall camp Aug. 4 and will be represented at SWAC media days later in the week.
“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 decision to suspend football activities at coach Willie Simmons’ direction came Friday, July 21, just hours after the release of the video. It was recorded by rapper Real Boston Richey and titled “Send a Blitz.” Simmons expressed support for free speech but said the language within was “not consistent with FAMU’s core values, principles and beliefs.”