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.
RALEIGH, N.C., March 23, 2025 – North Carolina A&T State University reclaimed its spot atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), securing its ninth MEAC Bowling Championship with a dominant 4-1 victory over the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) on Sunday, March 23.
As the tournament’s top seed, the Aggies swept all four of their matches en route to the 2025 championship title, earning the MEAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Bowling Tournament. This victory marks North Carolina A&T’s fourth MEAC title in the past five years (2021, 2022, 2023, 2025).
The 2025 NCAA Bowling Championship selection show will air on NCAA.com at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 26. The championship matches will take place at Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas, NV, from April 11-12.
Match Recap
North Carolina A&T set the tone early, using five strikes and three spares in Game 1 to claim a 183-163 win, with Maya Avilez delivering a crucial double in the tenth frame. UAB responded with three strikes and five spares but left two frames open.
The Aggies edged out the Blazers in Game 2, winning 179-167 with four strikes and five spares, extending their match lead to 2-0.
In Game 3, N.C. A&T increased its advantage to 3-0 with a 187-175 victory. Laura Garcia’s two strikes in the second and seventh frames proved pivotal, while UAB’s Madison Colston kept her team in the fight with a turkey (three consecutive strikes) in the tenth frame.
UAB fought back in Game 4, narrowing the match deficit to 3-1 with a 171-162 win. The Blazers tallied two strikes and six spares, capitalizing on N.C. A&T’s two open frames.
The Aggies sealed the championship in Game 5 with a commanding 196-145 win. Four strikes and five spares helped N.C. A&T clinch the 4-1 match victory, while UAB struggled, leaving four frames open.
2025 MEAC Bowling Championship – Best-of-Seven Baker Scores
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Game 1: N.C. A&T 183 – UAB 163 (N.C. A&T leads 1-0)
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Game 2: N.C. A&T 179 – UAB 167 (N.C. A&T leads 2-0)
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Game 3: N.C. A&T 187 – UAB 175 (N.C. A&T leads 3-0)
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Game 4: UAB 171 – N.C. A&T 162 (N.C. A&T leads 3-1)
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Game 5: N.C. A&T 196 – UAB 145 (N.C. A&T wins 4-1)
2025 MEAC Bowling Championship – All-Tournament Team
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Most Outstanding Bowler: Maya Avilez, North Carolina A&T State University
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Most Outstanding Coach: Kim Terrell-Kearney, North Carolina A&T State University
All-Tournament Selections:
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Maya Avilez, North Carolina A&T State University
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Madison Colston, University of Alabama-Birmingham
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Jordan Shipp, University of Alabama-Birmingham
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Diana Ochoa Hubbard, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
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Emily Breidegam, Delaware State University
With this victory, North Carolina A&T looks ahead to the NCAA Bowling Tournament, where they aim to continue their dominant run on the national stage.
Norfolk State University’s basketball teams showcased commendable efforts in the 2025 NCAA Tournaments. Here’s a recap of their journeys:
Men’s Basketball Team:
The Spartans secured their spot in the NCAA Tournament by clinching the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament title. In a thrilling championship game, they overcame an 11-point deficit to edge out South Carolina State with a 66-65 victory. This win marked their fourth MEAC Tournament title and earned them the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Entering the NCAA Tournament as the No. 16 seed in the West Region, Norfolk State faced the formidable No. 1 seed, Florida Gators, on March 21. Despite a valiant effort, the Spartans fell to the Gators with a final score of 95-69, concluding their tournament run. FOX Sports+3Norfolk State University Athletics+3SI+3
Women’s Basketball Team:
The Norfolk State women’s basketball team continued their streak of excellence by securing their fourth consecutive MEAC Tournament championship in 2025, thereby earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. SI+2Norfolk State University Athletics+2Norfolk State University Athletics+2
As a No. 13 seed, the Spartans faced No. 4 seed Maryland in the first round. Despite a determined performance, they were defeated with a final score of 82-69, ending their tournament journey. Reuters+1swishappeal.com+1
These appearances underscore the resilience and competitive spirit of Norfolk State’s basketball programs, highlighting their continued prominence in collegiate basketball.
March Madness delivered a dose of pure excitement as Alabama State secured its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory in a heart-stopping fashion. The Hornets, champions of the SWAC, faced off against NEC champion Saint Francis in a First Four matchup that left fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
In a back-and-forth battle where neither team was willing to give an inch, the game was tied 68-68 with just seconds remaining. Then, in a moment that will go down in Alabama State history, the Hornets executed a perfect Hail Mary-style inbounds pass, leading to a game-winning bucket with less than a second left on the clock. The 70-68 victory sent the Alabama State faithful into a frenzy and secured their place in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
A Historic Milestone for the Hornets
This win marked Alabama State’s first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, an achievement that not only adds a new chapter to the program’s history but also grants them an opportunity to take on a powerhouse in the next round. Awaiting them is a formidable opponent—the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, Auburn.
Adding an extra layer of intrigue, Alabama State’s head coach, Tony Madlock, will have a reunion of sorts when he leads his team against Auburn. Madlock previously served as an assistant coach for the Tigers from 2010-2014, making this upcoming matchup even more compelling.
Looking Ahead to the First Round
With momentum on their side, the Hornets will need to bring their best effort against Auburn, a team that has dominated throughout the season. While Alabama State enters the matchup as the clear underdog, the magic of March Madness has proven time and time again that anything is possible.
Will the Hornets continue their Cinderella story and shock the tournament’s top seed? All eyes will be on Thursday’s first-round clash as Alabama State looks to make history once again.
Stay tuned for all the updates, highlights, and analysis as the NCAA Tournament unfolds!
Norfolk, Va. – In a nail-biting semifinal showdown, No. 1 seed Norfolk State outlasted No. 5 seed Morgan State, securing a hard-fought 58-55 victory in the MEAC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Norfolk Scope Arena.
With the win, the Spartans punched their ticket to Saturday’s MEAC Championship game, where they will face the winner of the semifinal clash between No. 2 seed South Carolina State and No. 6 seed North Carolina Central. The title game is set for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
Norfolk State, now 23-10, had to dig deep to fend off a relentless Morgan State rally in the final minutes. The Bears had two late opportunities to tie the game in the last 30 seconds, but the Spartans’ defense held firm to secure the win.
Christian Ings led the charge for Norfolk State, dropping 19 points, while Brian Moore Jr. came alive in the second half, scoring 13 of his 14 total points in a crucial stretch. Moore’s clutch jumper at the 4:10 mark gave the Spartans their largest lead of the game at 54-47. However, Morgan State refused to go quietly, trimming the deficit to three points after Rob Lawson’s three-point play with under a minute remaining.
With 53.9 seconds left, a Norfolk State shot clock violation gifted Morgan State a chance to even the score. The Bears, however, could not capitalize, and after Moore missed the front end of a one-and-one, they had one final opportunity. With 7.6 seconds remaining, Morgan State inbounded the ball, but Kameron Hobbs’ last-second shot missed the mark, allowing the Spartans to secure the rebound and seal their place in the championship game.
Hobbs, who exploded for 33 points in Morgan State’s quarterfinal win over Howard, was limited to 11 points in this contest. No other Bear reached double figures, with Daniel Akitoby and Will Thomas chipping in eight points apiece. Morgan State concludes its season with a 14-18 record.
The game was a battle from start to finish. Morgan State held a 32-25 advantage early in the second half, but Norfolk State responded with a key run, tying the game at 37-37 following an inside bucket by Chris Fields Jr. The Spartans briefly took a 40-37 lead before Morgan State fought back to level the score at 43-43 with 8:52 remaining. Norfolk State then strung together an 11-4 run to create a seven-point cushion at 54-47, their largest lead of the game. The Bears made a final push in the last minute, but the Spartans held strong to clinch the victory.
Norfolk State now turns its attention to the MEAC Championship game, where they will look to claim their first tournament title since 2023 and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Tags: Norfolk State, MEAC Basketball, College Basketball, HBCU Sports, Morgan State, MEAC Tournament, March Madness, Basketball Championship, NCAA Tournament, Norfolk Scope Arena
Norfolk, Va. – The South Carolina State Bulldogs put on a commanding performance in the MEAC Men’s Basketball Tournament semifinals, cruising past No. 6 seed North Carolina Central with an 88-67 victory at the Norfolk Scope Arena.
The second-seeded Bulldogs set the tone early, shooting an impressive 61.1% from the field in the first half to build a dominant 54-25 lead at the break. Senior Omar Croskey led the charge with a season-high 30 points, going 11-of-14 from the field, including an impressive 5-of-7 from three-point range. He also contributed five rebounds, showcasing his all-around play for head coach Erik Martin’s squad.
Contributions came from all over the roster, with Davion Everett making a strong impact off the bench, scoring 16 points, while Colin McKenzie added 14 points to help seal the victory.
With this win, SC State improves to 20-12, marking their first 20-win season since 2002-03. The Bulldogs now set their sights on the MEAC Tournament final, where they will battle No. 1 seed Norfolk State for the championship on Saturday at 1 p.m. The highly anticipated matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
SC State will be vying for its first MEAC Tournament title since 2003, when head coach Cy Alexander led the Bulldogs to a 72-67 victory over Hampton. Their last taste of championship success came in 2004 when they shared the MEAC regular-season title with Coppin State.
Meanwhile, their upcoming opponent, Norfolk State, last won the tournament in 2023, securing back-to-back titles after defeating Coppin State 72-57. The Spartans reached the 2024 final but fell to Howard in a heartbreaker, 65-64. This season, SC State and Norfolk State split their regular-season meetings, each winning on their home court, setting the stage for an exciting championship showdown.
The Bulldogs wasted no time asserting their dominance in the semifinals, jumping out to a 9-2 lead in the first three minutes. A scoring surge, fueled by Croskey’s sharpshooting, propelled SC State to a staggering 25-4 advantage with 12:24 remaining in the first half. By halftime, the Bulldogs had built an insurmountable 29-point lead.
North Carolina Central attempted to claw back into the game with a 16-5 run to start the second half, narrowing the deficit to 18 points. Perry Smith Jr. led the Eagles with 20 points and nine rebounds, while King added 18 points and Keishon Porter chipped in 11. Despite their efforts, NCCU was unable to overcome SC State’s early dominance, as the Bulldogs maintained control and sealed their place in the championship game.
Now, all eyes turn to Saturday’s final, where SC State will look to cap off their remarkable season by claiming their first MEAC Tournament championship in over two decades. A win would cement their legacy and earn them an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, a feat they haven’t accomplished since their last title run.
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