By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson
The Alabama senator I alluded to in last week’s column was Doug Jones, not Johnson as erroneously stated. However, my position about SEC/ACC schools exploiting our Black athletes remains firm. The Alabama governor’s and congress’ refusal to adhere to SCOTUS’ ruling to redraw districts is a derivative of the January 6 insurrection.
FAMU’s decision to end pre-season Orange Blossom Classic participation against JSU or any other team is based in sound, judicious reasoning, emanating from AD Tiffani Dawn-Sykes’ determination to put the entire athletic department in a solid financial position after a thorough assessment of past practices, decisions and rationales.
Besides the new format, playing the game at the beginning of the year and playing the same team attracted mediocre attention with no tangible benefit to either, especially financially and even more for the loser, requiring a Herculean effort in righting the ship from a competitive standpoint. Historically, the OBC Classic was played at season’s end between perennial stalwart Florida A&M and a worthy HBCU opponent that had enjoyed a phenomenal, successful, championship season. The Rattlers competed against the very best: Grambling, Alcorn, Tennessee State, Jackson State, Morgan State, Maryland State, Southern and Prairie View, et al. And the winner in those days were usually crowned national champs by Black media like the Pittsburgh Courier. The competitive balance of classic opponents reduced FAMU’s winning percentage exponentially when compared to regular seasons because the teams were just as talented, powerful and perhaps more motivated to win. From 1933-1978, the Rattler’s Orange Blossom Classic record was 29-19, a winning percentage much lower than their overall record with Jake Gaither as the coach. It speaks favorably to the caliber of FAMU’s program and the caliber of the 19 opponents they lost to. Now back to the present. Two of the best programs in the SWAC shouldn’t be facing each other at the beginning of the year. Finally Rattler nation, including my daughter Stacy, a diehard Rattler alumna and football sage, get behind and support the AD’s vision: to build a strong, competitive athletic program- student/athlete centered – on a fiscally sound foundation.
Since football nears, I want to delve into the myth that Tom Brady is the GOAT. Wait for it!
