HBCU ORIGINAL
Football’s Growing Problem: Brawls and Unsportsmanship Across the Gridiron—From the NFL to HBCUs
A week of explosive clashes on the football field has captured the attention of sports fans and analysts alike, sparking a growing concern over the state of sportsmanship in the game. From the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills showdown to FCS Towson vs. North Carolina A&T to HBCU FCS rivalries like Jackson State vs. Alabama State and HBCU D2 rivalries like Virginia Union vs. Virginia State, every level of football is witnessing an alarming uptick in brawls. The college scene isn’t immune either, as even Nebraska‘s FBS matchup with USC saw its heated moments, adding to the growing list of incidents. For HBCUs, there were even more concerns with Howard vs. NCCU and Florida A&M vs. Prairie View, all ending with brawls. It’s time to talk about what is going on with football, the rising aggression, and the growing question of unsportsmanlike conduct taking over the game.
The Week of Chaos: From the NFL to HBCUs:
The week was marked by multiple altercations on the field that have left fans, coaches, and administrators reeling. In the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs faced the Buffalo Bills in a hard-fought contest that boiled over into a series of fights. It wasn’t just a few pushes or trash talk—full-blown brawls resulted in player suspensions and calls for more decisive disciplinary action. But it wasn’t just the pros where tempers flared. In the FCS, North Carolina A&T took on Towson in a fierce game where multiple players threw punches. At the same time, Jackson State and Alabama State—with Jackson State clinching the SWAC conference will head to the upcoming Black College Championship against South Carolina State with a few suspensions. The MEAC, SWAC, and CIAA have all condemned the actions strongly, with calls to disqualify players and implement suspensions after reviewing game footage.
The Impact on HBCU Football:
HBCUs have long been revered for their history, culture, and the pride they bring to their communities. The idea of football brawls tarnishing the tradition of HBCU football is deeply troubling to many who value the integrity and discipline in these programs. In a time when HBCUs are pushing for greater exposure and recognition, mainly through televised games and streaming platforms, incidents like these jeopardize the positive momentum these programs have built.
The SWAC, MEAC, and CIAA are united in their stance against this growing problem. After reviewing the incidents, officials from these conferences have announced their intention to suspend and possibly disqualify players involved in fights. This level of condemnation is unprecedented, signaling how seriously these conferences are taking the issue of unsportsmanlike behavior. These aren’t just isolated incidents; they are part of a troubling trend creeping into every level of football, threatening the foundation of what has always been considered the essence of the game.
The Professional and College Landscape: A Growing Concern:
At the professional level, the NFL has long grappled with players who let their emotions get the best of them, but what’s disturbing is that this behavior is increasingly spilling into college football. What used to be a rare occurrence is now becoming a norm. The question is, why? Is it the pressure of the game? The influence of social media? Or is it simply a breakdown in teaching discipline and respect for the game?
What is clear is that football is becoming more than just a physical battle—it’s an emotional one. As fans and players watch each other on screens, an increasing sense of competition goes beyond the scoreboard. The rise of trash talk, taunting, and heightened aggression has shifted the focus from athleticism and strategy to spectacle and showmanship. While some argue that the intensity of the game is what makes it exciting, others are concerned that this fiery atmosphere is spilling over into dangerous territory.
Can Football Survive This Storm?
With major networks and streaming platforms showcasing these games, the eyes of the world are on football like never before. However, this newfound visibility is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it provides a stage for athletes to showcase their skills. On the other hand, it amplifies negative moments, making brawls and unsportsmanlike conduct more visible and challenging to ignore.
The question is: Can football at every level prevent these incidents from becoming the new normal? Will disciplinary actions by the HBCUs, the NFL, and other football organizations curb this troubling trend? Or will this behavior continue to escalate until the very integrity of the sport is threatened?
As football continues to grow in popularity and reach, it’s time for a serious conversation about the direction of the sport. While the intensity and passion of the game should always be celebrated, there needs to be a renewed focus on discipline, respect, and sportsmanship. The brawls seen across the NFL, FBS, FCS, and HBCUs this week are a warning sign that cannot be ignored. It’s time for football to reclaim its honor—before it loses its soul.
HBCU ORIGINAL
SUNO’S DONOVAN HILL MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST NAIA PLAYER SELECTED FOR HBCU SWINGMAN CLASSIC
Knights infielder becomes the first player from an NAIA institution to earn a spot in the event’s four-year history; set to compete July 10 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia
NEW ORLEANS [July 6, 2026] — Southern University at New Orleans graduate infielder Donovan Hill has made history, becoming the first player from an NAIA institution ever selected to compete in the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by USA Baseball. The fourth annual showcase is set for Friday, July 10, at 7 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, as part of MLB All-Star Week.
Hill’s selection marks a milestone for both SUNO and small-college HBCU baseball nationwide. The Swingman Classic featured exclusively NCAA Division I players in its first two years before expanding to include its first Division II selection in 2025. With Hill’s addition to the 2026 roster, SUNO becomes the first NAIA institution represented in the event’s history — a testament to the growing national profile of the Knights and the HBCU Athletic Conference.
Hill, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native who joined the Knights from St. Thomas University, is one of just 50 players nationwide chosen for the event, which brings together the top talent from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country. Players were selected by a committee that includes Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., Major League Baseball representatives, and professional scouts and evaluators.
The historic selection caps a landmark season for Hill and the Knights, who posted the best record in program history and their best HBCU Athletic Conference regular-season finish in 2026, one year after a runner-up showing at the conference championship. A steady presence in the SUNO infield and lineup all spring, Hill delivered in the moments that mattered — igniting the Knights’ seven-run, ninth-inning comeback against Xavier with a leadoff walk and driving in runs throughout SUNO’s late-season surge, including a run-scoring triple in the series-clinching win over Philander Smith.
“Donovan represents everything we ask of our student-athletes — he competes, he leads, and he carries himself the right way on and off the field,” said SUNO Head Coach Olen Parker, Jr. “To see him become the first NAIA player ever to take that field for the HBCU Swingman Classic is bigger than one game. It tells every player at our level that if you put in the work, the stage will find you.”
“This is a historic moment for SUNO, the HBCU Athletic Conference and for NAIA baseball,” said SUNO Director of Athletics James A. Matthews, III. “Donovan’s selection proves that elite talent lives at every level of HBCU athletics. The Swingman Classic celebrates the rich legacy of HBCU baseball, and we could not be prouder that a Knight is the one carrying NAIA baseball onto that stage for the first time.”
ABOUT THE HBCU SWINGMAN CLASSIC
The Swingman Classic roster will be divided into two squads: a National League team led by 2007 NL MVP and Phillies Wall of Famer Jimmy Rollins, and an American League team led by HBCU legend and 14-year MLB veteran Rickie Weeks. Honorary VIPs for the event include HBCU baseball greats Andre Dawson (Florida A&M) and Ralph Garr Sr. (Grambling State), along with 19-year big-league veteran Ken Griffey Sr.
For the fourth consecutive year, MLB Network will exclusively broadcast the game, with Dave Sims on play-by-play and Harold Reynolds providing analysis. Ken Griffey Jr. and Emily Haydel, granddaughter of Hank Aaron, will also contribute to the broadcast. Pregame festivities honoring HBCU culture will feature an in-ballpark DJ, an in-game “Divine Nine” recognition, and more.
SUNO is one of 19 HBCUs represented on the 2026 roster — and the only NAIA institution — joining programs such as Southern University, Grambling State, Jackson State, Florida A&M, and Prairie View A&M. Tickets for the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by USA Baseball are on sale now at AllStarGame.com.
ABOUT SUNO ATHLETICS
The Southern University at New Orleans Knights Department of Athletics emphasizes competitive excellence, academic achievement and community engagement. For the full 2025–26 schedule, rosters, and ticket information, visit sunoathletics.com and follow @sunoathletics on social media.
MEDIA CONTACT: SUNO Athletics Communications, athletics@suno.edu, (504) 286-5197
By Charity L. Cohen | June 18, 2026
EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. — The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Fellowship Gospel Choir has long carried the “award-winning” tag, and now the group is in line to add to that reputation. The choir has been nominated for a Stellar Award in the newly created HBCU Choir of the Year category.
The choir joins four other finalists — Howard University, the Morgan State University Choir, the Southern University Gospel Choir and the Fort Valley State University Choir — in a category designed to honor outstanding gospel choirs from historically Black colleges and universities. Winners will be announced at the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards, which Grammy-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin will host.
The nomination adds another chapter to a 57-year history for the Fellowship Gospel Choir, which has served as a spiritual anchor for the A&T community and a symbol of the university’s dedication to faith, fellowship and musical craftsmanship.
Across those decades, the choir has shared the stage with major names in gospel and beyond, including Fred Hammond, Jason Nelson, Big Sean and Elevation Rhythm — collaborations that have helped cement its identity as a group willing to express its faith boldly through music.
“This nomination shows that our work isn’t in vain and that we are accomplishing our goal of encouraging people and bringing them closer to Christ,” said choir president Antonio Mattox Jr., a rising senior. “This recognition has given us a platform to do just that because that’s the entire purpose of our organization.”
Mattox, a choir member since his first year at A&T, narrated the group’s cover of Donald Lawrence’s “Matthew 28” — the very performance submitted to Stellar Award judges that ultimately clinched the nomination.
Choir director Marcus Williams, a 2017 A&T graduate who got his start with the group as a student drummer, said the “Matthew 28” performance captured both the choir’s talent and its history.
“It was a song that showcased their vocals. It had some dope moves that the kids created with it, which speaks to our legacy at A&T, and then it also had the choir robes, which just felt nostalgic,” Williams said.
For Williams, the nomination carries weight well beyond the choir itself, extending to the broader HBCU community and to Greensboro as a whole.
“I really can’t express how big it is, especially for Greensboro, but they’re celebrating and recognizing HBCUs as a whole,” Williams said. “It’s huge, and for the legacy of the choir being recognized, it just speaks of the hard work and innovation that was done over the years.”
The 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards will take place Aug. 15 in Charlotte, where organizers will crown the first-ever winner of the HBCU Choir of the Year award.
Alumni Spotlight
Essence Fest 2026 puts Grambling State’s marching band and HBCU culture on a national stage
Coca-Cola is once again using the ESSENCE Festival of Culture to put a spotlight on HBCU pride, and this year Grambling State University is at the center of it.
The 2026 festival runs July 3-5 in New Orleans, and Coca-Cola has released its entertainment and cultural programming for the weekend. On the Coca-Cola Stage, the lineup includes performances from Destin Conrad, Coi Leray and Mario. But the bigger story for the HBCU community is a separate activation built around Coca-Cola’s “The World Is My Yard” platform, which brings actress Eva Marcille together with a performance from Grambling State’s World Famed Tiger Marching Band — one of the most recognized names in HBCU band culture.
The activation goes beyond a performance slot. Representatives from 15 HBCUs will be on-site holding office hours for prospective students and their families, covering admissions, academic programs, campus life and other pathways into HBCU education. That turns the festival into a recruiting and visibility opportunity as much as a cultural showcase — a chance for schools like Grambling State to reach families who may never set foot on a Southern HBCU campus otherwise.
This marks Coca-Cola’s 31st consecutive year as an Essence Fest partner. The company’s 2026 platform theme, “Every Side Shines,” is centered on music, wellness, culture and connection. Stephanie Eaddy, Coca-Cola’s senior director of cultural marketing, framed the festival as something bigger than a single weekend, calling it “a powerful platform for connection, community and impact.”
The festival’s footprint extends well past culture and music. Coca-Cola noted that the 2025 event generated more than $321 million in economic impact for New Orleans, supported upwards of 2,400 jobs, and produced over $103 million in income for local workers and businesses — numbers that underscore just how much weight Essence Fest carries for the city each summer.
For Grambling State, the appearance is another example of HBCU culture reaching a national audience through a mainstream platform — band culture, brand partnership, and student recruitment all overlapping in one weekend in New Orleans.
Here’s the full story:
Ahead of the Draft: Why the HBCU Swingman Classic Is More Than an Exhibition
PHILADELPHIA — By the time the last out is recorded at Citizens Bank Park on Friday night, some of the players on the field will have less than 18 hours before Major League Baseball starts calling names in the 2026 Draft.
That’s the calendar this year: the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by USA Baseball tips off July 10 at 7 p.m. ET, and the draft’s first three rounds begin the next morning, July 11, at the Philadelphia Convention Center — the same weekend, the same city. For a showcase built on getting overlooked players in front of the people who make those calls, the timing could hardly be more direct.
A track record scouts already trust
This isn’t a new theory. Over its first three years, the Classic has sent 10 alumni into the professional ranks. The inaugural 2023 class, played in Seattle, produced three draftees, including Xavier Meachen, a 10th-round pick of the Marlins. Two more alumni heard their names called in 2024 — Randy Flores of Alabama State, taken by the Angels in the eighth round, and North Carolina A&T’s Canyon Brown, picked by the Royals in the ninth. Last year’s group in Atlanta topped both of those combined, with five former Classic participants drafted, among them Southern’s Cardell Thibodeaux and Alabama State’s Kameron Douglas and Juan Cruz.
For the players about to take that same field this year, the message is simple: this game has already put people on rosters.
“We always like to be seen by the right guys,” Thibodeaux said ahead of last year’s event.
Built into baseball’s scouting pipeline, not separate from it
Part of why the Classic carries weight with evaluators is that it doesn’t stand alone. This year’s 50-man roster includes 22 players who have already come up through MLB’s other elite-development pipelines — the Hank Aaron Invitational, the Breakthrough Series, and Nike’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program — meaning many of these players are already known quantities to scouts before they ever step on the field in Philadelphia. Rosters in past years have also been unveiled live from the MLB Draft Combine, tying the event directly to the same scouting apparatus that sets draft boards.
North Carolina A&T catcher Tyler Smith, who has come up through those same programs, said Hall of Famer and Classic founder Ken Griffey Jr. has been part of that development for years. “He’s always there to answer questions,” Smith said.
Why Griffey built it this way
Griffey started the Swingman Classic in 2023 with a specific gap in mind: talented players at HBCUs often don’t have access to the travel-ball circuits, showcase events, and Power Five budgets that put other prospects in front of scouts year-round. The Classic — and the national broadcast that comes with it — is designed to close that gap in one night.
Jimmy Rollins, managing the National League squad this year alongside Rickie Weeks on the American League side, said he saw the request to manage as an easy call once he understood what it could mean for the players. “Giving these players an opportunity to shine on the big stage,” he said, was reason enough. Griffey has been more direct about what he wants to see from it: kids “seen and heard,” and, eventually, drafted in bigger numbers than the sport has historically pulled from HBCU programs.
The stakes this year
Every previous Classic has fed into a draft that followed within weeks. This year, it feeds into one that follows within hours. Scouts, executives, and front-office decision-makers who watch Friday’s game on MLB Network will, in many cases, be back in draft rooms by Saturday morning — some of them picking for the same teams whose scouts were just in the stands.
For a 50-man roster that includes returning participants looking for a bigger league night after prior appearances, and newcomers making their first case to a national audience, the Swingman Classic isn’t a preview of the draft. This year, it’s the opening round.
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