The longtime voice of Florida A&M’s (FAMU) well-known Marching 100 is apologizing after a comment he made throughout halftime went viral for all of the flawed causes.
On Monday, September 29, Joe Bullard issued a press release on Fb that was first seen by mates and later circulated by information retailers, together with the Tallahassee Democrat. Within the submit, he addressed his phrases, which many noticed as body-shaming Alabama State College’s celebrated plus-size dance troupe, the Honeybeez.
“My feedback directed towards the ASU Honeybeez had been meant as lighthearted banter, however I now acknowledge that they got here throughout in a manner that was hurtful and disrespectful,” he wrote. “For that, I lengthen my deepest and most heartfelt apologies: before everything to the ASU Honey Beez, to Alabama State College, to the Alabama State College Marching Band, to Florida A&M College, and to the followers and supporters of each establishments who had been in attendance, or anybody else who heard my phrases.”
He added, “To anybody who was offended, I’m actually sorry.”
The controversy started Saturday throughout halftime of the FAMU vs. Alabama State soccer recreation, in Tallahassee when Bullard quipped that the Honeybeez had been “the brand new face of Ozempic.”
The comment, broadly understood as a jab on the dancers’ our bodies, was captured on video and shortly unfold on-line. Some followers booed within the second, whereas social media lit up with criticism of the announcer’s phrases.
Alabama State President Quinton Ross known as the comment “completely unacceptable,” praising the Honey Beez as a supply of inspiration and satisfaction for his or her neighborhood.
Florida A&M leaders additionally responded. President Marva Johnson condemned the announcer’s remark as “inappropriate and offensive,” pledging quick steps to make sure accountability and to stop future incidents. She emphasised that the college has a accountability to guard the dignity of all performers on its stage.
In the remainder of his message, Bullard acknowledged that his try at humor missed the mark. He harassed that he by no means meant to demean anybody and mentioned he regretted the ache his phrases brought on, including that he hoped to be taught from the second and requested for grace as he mirrored on its influence.
Within the days since, the Honeybeez uploaded a video to Instagram giving viewers a take a look at a typical day within the lifetime of the dancers.
“Be daring. Be stunning. Be YOU,” they wrote within the caption.
