The FAMU Rattlers football team got a pair of emphatic visitors last week, as president James H. Ammons and athletic director Derek Horne stopped by to speak with the group during their end-of-season meeting.Ammons brought in a group of orange and green balloons and a card that read, “Congratulations Rattlers, on your win on Saturday. See you next year. Your friend, Trudie Kibbie Reed, president of Bethune-Cookman-University.”
To the players Ammons emphasized the importance the game has on many aspects of the university, not just athletics. “I want to congratulate you on representing this university so well. Even though we didn’t make the playoffs, we don’t need the NCAA to validate us,” he concluded.
Ammons concluded, “I want to congratulate you on making history down there. Coach Joe Taylor is the first coach to win 25 games his first three seasons. I always say, we have this era’s Jake Gaither; and now he’s done something Jake didn’t even do.”
The players got a treat they often miss on gameday. During pre-game, when the players are working on their plan, Ammons performs the trademark Rattler charge. He teased the players by saying “There were some dark clouds over the Citrus Bowl during the first half, but you prevailed.” The players began to beat on the lockers like drums near the end of Ammons’ speech, indicating a call for the charge. Ammons obliged, to an emphatic roar.
“To finish this season, the way you started…you are mighty Rattlers,” Ammons told the proud players. After concluding his speech, Taylor invited Dr. Ammons to be the first person fitted for the championship rings. The players were riled-up by the appearance of the ring-sizing apparatus.
Horne then took the stage, to congratulate the players on behalf of the department of athletics.
He spoke of the positive impact the game on national television has for the university. He also commended the players for their travel demeanor. He said “ When you travel, you conduct yourselves like young men. That’s what we hear from our host hotels in those different locations,” he added.
Horne’s parting words were very direct. “We don’t want another co-championship, we want to win outright,” he said. Horne was then invited by Taylor to be the second person fitted for his MEAC championship ring.