Grambling State players refuse to play

[Ranger Tom]

Grambling State on Friday canceled its football game against Jackson State after Grambling's disgruntled players refused to travel to Jackson for the game Saturday.

The players -- upset with travel policies, poor facility conditions and a tumultuous coaching situation -- made a decision not to play at a team meeting Friday afternoon, a player told ESPN's Brett McMurphy.

"We aren't playing," the player said.

Jackson State spokesman Wesley Peterson told The Associated Press on Friday that Grambling officials contacted JSU at about 6 p.m. ET and informed the school of the decision.

Link

This is crazy. I've never heard of a program that was so far down in the dumps.

UPDATE: Read the story, get the details. This isn't some petty little temper tantrum, people.

 

[jaayteetx]

Haven't they been refusing to play all year?

 

[steelbtexan]

Seems like they need to find out who wants to keep their scholarships and who doesn't. Time to start a new program with guys who want to be at Grambling. These young men need to find out the consequences of their actions. Tomorrow isn't soon enough. IMHO

 

[Playoffs]

Mold/mildew on shoulder pads

Grambling State football players complained of mold and mildew on equipment and in facilities, having to pay for Gatorade out of their own pockets and even said which assistants they thought would make a good interim coach after the firing of Doug Williams in a letter to the administration obtained by ESPN's Pedro Gomez.

On Friday, Grambling State canceled its football game against Jackson State after Grambling's disgruntled players refused to travel to Jackson, Miss., for the game Saturday.

The letter says "there are certain factors that are hindering us from reaching our goals" and then elaborates on many of them.

The athletic complex "is in horrible condition, and has many hazards that may contribute to our overall health," the letter says. "First, the complex is filled with mildew and mold. Mildew and mold can be seen on the ceiling, walls and floor, and are contributing to water leaks because of faltering walls and ceilings."
...
"The uniforms are poorly cleaned and contribute to the multiple cases (of) staph infection," the letter reads. "Several players have been infected with staph multiple times."

As has also been reported, players took exception to the fact that they had to travel by bus to Kansas City and Indianapolis.

"One trip was 14 hours while the other was 17," the letter says. "Players were drained and exhausted after those long rides."

The players were bothered, according to the letter, that "the president and athletic director traveled by plane."

http://espn.go.com/college-football...-players-send-letter-complaint-administration

 

[deucetx]

Gained some respect for those young men. Many wouldn't have the nerve to even take this step. From what I hear about the conditions their team has to deal with it is beyond ridiculous and I can see the reason behind their stance. Nice to see them taking a stance here.

 

[2012Champs]

Seems like they need to find out who wants to keep their scholarships and who doesn't. Time to start a new program with guys who want to be at Grambling. These young men need to find out the consequences of their actions. Tomorrow isn't soon enough. IMHO

What were you saying?

 

[Stemp]

If grambling can't afford to have a football team they need to disband it and let these young men play somewhere else.

 

[Rey]

Man...I have a former student that is a freshman on gramblings team. He always said he didn't care about football and just wanted the free education. He might get his wish.

 

[deucetx]

They are reportedly heading back to the practice field after reaching out to former head coach Doug Williams: Here's a letter from one of the defensive backs:

As part of the athletic program at Grambling State University, the football team, took a stance on what we thought was right. We did not quit on our university. There are many problems that exist and if no one says anything, nothing will come of our institution. We hope Coach Eddie Robinson and his legendary players can appreciate that we stood up for what we thought was right. After coming into contact with different sources, we decided to reach out to the one person we trusted, Coach Doug Williams, with our concerns. His main statement to us was, “Go out there and play football.” He also put us in contact with Jim Bernhard out of Baton Rouge. A meeting was held with Mr. Bernhard as well as, Douglas Porter, Ezil Bibbs, Roy Jackson, Henry Dyer and Howard Davis. The meeting confirmed him [Jim Bernhard] as being committed with our best intentions at heart and that he would ensure we had updated facilities, but we had to agree to being back practicing Monday, October 21 and finish the remainder of our season.

http://college-football.si.com/2013/10/21/grambling-state-players-end-boycott-return-field/

 

[badboy]

A good janitorial would have helped with some issues, but not the bus trips. Guess they were not 14 hour trips before the kids decided to go to Grambling? Anyway that is way too long. Hope something can be worked out to improve situation and allow kids to play.

 

[gtexan02]

Unsafe facilities, if leading to recurrent staph infections, seems like a legal matter to me. I wouldn't 'resume playing football' if it meant dealing with something like that. The school better pay attention or they are in for a serious lawsuit