Florida A&M University is doing damage control after a halftime moment at Bragg Memorial Stadium went viral for all the wrong reasons.
On Saturday (Sept. 27), FAMU President Marva Johnson issued a public apology to Alabama State University after their “Rattlers” band announcer made an offensive remark about ASU’s beloved Honey Beez dance team.
The Honey Beez — who are the full-figured dance team that performs alongside the Mighty Marching Hornets — had just wrapped their halftime performance during the FAMU-ASU matchup when announcer Joe Bullard referred to them as “the new face of Ozempic.”
The shocking comment citing the diabetes and weight-loss drug left the entire stadium gasping in disbelief. Watch below.
The remark made waves on social media, sparking outrage and disappointment across the HBCU community. ASU President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. quickly addressed the incident in a statement on Facebook, calling the words “short-sighted” and stressing that “to have their artistry disrespected after such a performance is unacceptable.”
He added that he had already spoken with both Johnson and the Southwestern Athletic Conference commissioner.
In response, Johnson issued her own statement apologizing directly to ASU, the Honey Beez, and Hornet Nation. “I conveyed my regret and reaffirmed that such comments are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” she wrote, promising accountability and new measures to prevent a repeat of the incident. Johnson also praised the Honey Beez, describing them as a team that “represents discipline, school pride, and performance tradition respected across the nation.”
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Many people sided with Johnson, calling out the announcer’s words as out of step with the community FAMU claims to represent. “As an HBCU grad and parent of two current Rattlers, one of which is a classically trained dancer, I was appalled and repulsed at the insensitive comment,” one supporter wrote on Facebook. “Bravo to the President for issuing this apology to ASU and the Honey Beez.”
Not everyone, however, is calling for Bullard’s removal. Miami Hip-Hop legend, Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell, defended his longtime friend. Taking to Facebook, he noted that while the announcer “deeply regrets” his words, the path forward should be a public apology to the Honey Beez and appropriate disciplinary action, but not result in “termination.”
The drama capped off an already tough night for FAMU, as Alabama State handed FAMU a 41-14 loss in their SWAC opener.