Florida A&M AD says football team allowed to use facilities despite ongoing investigation about rap video
The university is investigating the unauthorized filming of a rap video in the locker room
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Florida A&M athletic director Tiffani-Dawn Sykes said Monday the football team will be allowed to resume using its facilities while the university investigates the unauthorized filming of a rap video, featuring some Rattlers players, in the team's locker room.
All team activities were suspended Friday night by Coach Willie Simmons after a video by Tallahassee, Florida, rapper Real Boston Richey was posted on social media last week showing him performing in the FAMU locker room, with some of the players and team gear.
The players were not identified by the school.
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A Florida A&M helmet sports the Rattlers logo before an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Seward, File)
Real Boston Richey, whose real name is Jalen Foster, performed at FAMU's homecoming game last year.
Simmons said Saturday the team facility, weight room and access to the stadium field were off-limits to all players until he and the administration could sort out who was involved in the video shoot. A team meeting was scheduled for Monday.
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Quarterback Jeremy Moussa #8 of the Florida A&M Rattlers passes the ball against the Jackson State Tigers 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. (Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
"We’ll determine at that point if more severe penalties need to be handed down," Simmons told The Associated Press on Saturday.
Sykes posted on Twitter that the team would be cleared to return to football activities on Tuesday. She said the university's office of compliance and ethics was investigating.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I will make myself available for comment at the conclusion of the investigation," she said.
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A general view of an official NFL Wilson Duke Football and a Florida A&M Official Game Day Football Helmet at mid-field before the start of Florida A&M Pro Day at Bragg Memorial Stadium on the campus of Florida A&M University on March 30, 2023 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
The Southwestern Athletic Conference will hold its football media day for its 12 members on Tuesday in Birmingham, Alabama, and Florida A&M planned to attend. Simmons along with quarterback Jeremy Moussa and defensive back Javan Morgan were expected to take part.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Rattlers are scheduled to have their first practice on Aug. 4. They open the season at home against Jackson State on Sept. 3.
Simmons has posted a 33-12 record since taking over in December 2017, including three straight nine-win seasons.