Image via Morehouse Football

By: Jackson Greenleaf, Staff Writer 

The recent incident involving Florida A&M University’s football program and an unauthorized rap music video has sparked discussions about university values, free speech, and student-athlete responsibilities. As FAMU football resumes its activities, Morehouse College is focusing on fostering a strong team culture that emphasizes accountability, education, and camaraderie. 

The suspension of FAMU football activities, prompted by the release of an unauthorized rap video titled “Send a Blitz” by Real Boston Richey, underscored the challenges institutions face in balancing creative expression with institutional guidelines. The video featured FAMU football players and drew attention to questions about privacy, intellectual property rights, and the alignment of content with the university’s values. 

While FAMU navigates these issues, the Morehouse Maroon Tigers football program embraces a different approach. Morehouse football’s team culture for the upcoming season strongly emphasizes unity and accountability, setting it apart from past seasons.  

Morehouse defensive lineman Bradley Johnson shared insights into their evolving culture.

“The team culture this year is going to separate us from past teams at Morehouse,” he said.

“In order to win, it starts with having a group of individuals who not only care and take after one another, but we also hold each other accountable to ensure that our education and athletics are top priorities,” he said.

Johnson says the team is creating a culture that allows them to be the best version of themselves. 

Morehouse senior quarterback Satchel Parker also gave a comment on the current state of the Morehouse Football culture. 

“The team culture is really on some iron sharpens iron– hold the next man accountable type of time,” he said.

Parker said the team is looking to “make excellence a habit through accountability”. 

In contrast to the FAMU controversy situation, Morehouse’s team culture emphasizes mutual support and the pursuit of excellence both on and off the field. This culture reflects the HBCU tradition of promoting holistic development and unity among its student-athletes. 

As FAMU football resumes activities and focuses on resolving the incident, Morehouse Football’s commitment to a positive team culture highlights the significance of fostering an environment that aligns with an institution’s values and creates a strong foundation for success.

The contrasting approaches to team culture serve as a reminder of the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing college athletics today, where values, expression, and accountability intersect. 

As both FAMU and Morehouse gear up for the 2023 season, the lessons learned from these experiences could shape the trajectories of their respective football programs and ongoing conversation about the dynamics of collegiate sports.

Morehouse Football will be looking to start the 2023 season with a win as they take a trip to Canton, Ohio, for the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic against Virginia Union University. 

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