All football-related activities at Florida A&M University have been suspended indefinitely following the release of an unauthorized music video, head coach Willie Simmons announced.
The hip-hop music video contained explicit lyrics and was filmed in the team’s locker room, the school said. Rapper Real Boston Richey’s song titled «Send A Blitz» was released on Friday night.
Simmons issued a statement reaffirming his support for free speech and musical expression, but also stating that the content of the video is «inconsistent with Florida A&M’s core values, principles, and beliefs.»
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
A FAMU helmet sits on top of a table during the Orange Blossom Classic game between the Florida A&M Rattlers and the Jackson State Tigers on Sunday, September 5, 2021, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
«It is a privilege to wear the orange and green and, as a football program, our youth have failed to meet the standard set before us,» Simmons said in the statement.
«Everyone will learn from this mishap and we will continue to work hard every day to become the best version of ourselves and continue to make the Rattler Nation proud. As a result of this unfortunate situation, I am suspending all soccer-related activities until further notice.»
LANE KIFFIN SAYS NIL IS ‘LEGALIZED CHEATING’, HAS MADE COLLEGE FOOTBALL ‘A DISASTER’
Simmons also said an investigation into how the parties involved in the music video gained access to the locker room. The school argues that the use of clothing licensed by Florida A&M violates the agreements.
The video appeared to have been initially posted on Youtube. The video shows Richey wearing a Florida A&M jersey and a Rattlers football helmet. Several Florida A&M football players are also seen in the background throughout the video.
Florida A&M Rattlers fans in the stands during the game against the North Carolina Central Eagles at Bragg Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Rattlers defeated the Eagles 28-21. (Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
Jalen Foster, whose stage name is Real Boston Richey, is originally from Tallahassee, where the Florida A&M campus is located. Richey performed during the team’s homecoming game last season.
Florida A&M is one of the largest historically black universities in the United States.
Florida A&M Rattlers Helmet during the game against the North Carolina Central Eagles at Bragg Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Rattlers defeated the Eagles 28-21. (Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
The Rattlers are scheduled to open the 2023 season on September 3 in a matchup against Jackson State.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Simmons is entering his sixth season as Florida A&M’s head football coach.