March 29, 2024

Grambling players end boycott

GRAMBLING, La. (AP) — Naquan Smith and his Grambling football teammates have no regrets about a nearly weeklong boycott that forced the university to forfeit its game against Jackson State on Saturday.

Grambling players stood behind Smith Monday during a press conference outside of the Eddie Robinson Museum on campus. Smith said the entire team was present and that the vote to return to the field was “100 percent.”

“The football team took a stance on what we thought was right,” Smith said. “We did not quit on our university. There are many problems that exist and if no one says anything, nothing will become of our institution. We hope coach Eddie Robinson and his legendary players appreciate we took a stand and thought we were right.”

Grambling’s players staged the boycott because of many issues with university leaders, including the school’s rundown facilities, long bus trips to road games and personnel decisions.

Grambling President Frank Pogue said Monday night that players would not face any repercussions for the boycott, and that the national attention would help publicize the funding plight for historically black colleges and universities like Grambling.

Pogue said work is already scheduled to be done to improve conditions in the football team’s weight room.

“We will continue to support our football team — our players,” Pogue said. “We will pay attention, obviously, as much as we can financially to enhance all the athletic facilities including those in football. My concern now is we move forward together. The students have expressed themselves, their opinions.”

Smith said players decided end the boycott after reaching out to several Grambling greats, including former coach Doug Williams, who advised them to, “Go out there and play football.”

Smith said Bernhard told players he has their “best intentions at heart and that he would ensure we had updated facilities, but we had to agree to being back practicing Monday ... and finish the remainder of our season.”