HBCU football did not fall short of action last week. From celebrity appearances to homecomings and big rivalries, the excellence of Black colleges was on full display.
First, Jackson State hosted Southern in the Boombox Classic, which ESPN’s “College Gameday” was on-site to broadcast. Key Glock and NLE Choppa walked the team out onto the field. JSU ultimately shut out its divisional rival 35-0, making them 8-0 for the season.
“We were truly victorious, but that was not the highlight of the day,” JSU head coach Deion Sanders told reporters after the game, as WAPT’s Joe Cook posted. “I think the highlight of the day is how we all came together as a people and supported ‘College Gameday.’ White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, all ethnicities, all social statuses and we did that. I was praying to God that it would not rain and storm so that we could show America that we could show up and show out.”
Near the end of JSU’s blowout victory, Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium began playing DJ Suede the Remix God’s “Who Is SWAC” remix. Sanders returned to the field and started singing it, sampling his press conference response to Alabama State coach Eddie Robinson Jr. claiming Sanders isn’t SWAC, the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Who is SWAC? pic.twitter.com/lp0epXUXKk
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) October 30, 2022
At North Carolina A&T’s homecoming against Campbell, Chlöe Bailey danced at halftime with Golden Delight, the Aggies’ dance team. The Blue & Gold Marching Machine played a medley of “Have Mercy” and “Treat Me.”
This literally makes me wanna cry 🥹I’m so happy she gets to feel this kind of love & support in real life pic.twitter.com/NDomTXzAc0
— Vannah💜| Chlöe’s Manager (@psavannahhh) October 31, 2022
The Aggies defeated Campbell 45-38 to improve to 5-3 for the year. A&T’s homecoming concert featured Chlöe, GloRilla and Lil Baby.
In Birmingham, Alabama, the Magic City Classic drew more than 67,000 fans.
2022 Magic City Classic Alabama State University @ Alabama A&M University
* Attendance 67,532pic.twitter.com/A5Pyy7NupB— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) October 30, 2022
Alabama State defeated Alabama A&M 24-17 in the state’s biggest HBCU rivalry. Legendary rapper Big Boi was the classic’s post-game performer.
