Florida A&M University has suspended all football-related activities after a rap music video featuring some of the team’s players was shot without permission in the Rattlers’ locker room.
Head football coach Willie Simmons released a statement announcing the decision on Friday night hours after the music video was released.
Simmons said that while he supports free speech and musical expression, the “graphic language” used in the video is “not consistent with Florida A&M’s core values, principles and beliefs.”
FAMU is conducting an investigation to determine who allowed the use of the athletic facility.
The music video shot in the university’s locker room, titled “Send A Blitz” by rapper Real Boston Richey was posted to YouTube on Friday. The video shows the rapper in the locker room wearing a Florida A&M shirt and team helmets. Several Florida A&M players are also seen in the background of the video.
In his statement, Simmons said that the licensed apparel worn in the video could violate Florida A&M licensing and branding agreements and will also be investigated.
“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,” Simmons said. “They will all learn from this mishap, and we will continue to work hard every day to become the best version of ourselves and continue making Rattler Nation Proud.”
Simmons told Associated Press that a team meeting is scheduled for Monday. “We’ll determine at that point if more severe penalties need to be handed down,” he said.
