Grambling State Forfeits Jackson State Game After Player Revolt

By HBCU Gameday

Posted on October 18, 2013

Grambling State will forfeit its game with Jackson State due to a player strike.

At the start of the week, most people expected Jackson State to beat Grambling, but no one could have predicted it would turn out like this. Friday afternoon, Grambling State announced it will forfeit its game against Jackson State University. According to reports, only 22 players showed up ready to travel to Jackson, MS.

Ros Dumlao, who covers Jackson State for the Clarion-Ledger, said that the game will be replaced by a scrimmage. Refunds will be offered for ticket holders.

“The JSU Tigers will play a “Blue and White” scrimmage game at 2 p.m. at the Mississippi Veteran’s Memorial Stadium. Following the game, the Sonic Boom of the South marching band will play for an extended performance. At 4 p.m., Lyfe Jennings, Terrell C. Moses and Larry Johnson will perform a free concert at the stadium. The 4 p.m. concert is open to the public.

This is an unfortunate situation for JSU fans, but it is beyond our control,” JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers said in the same press release. “I want to encourage the JSU community, including students, alumni and supporters, to participate in the other activities scheduled as part of our Homecoming celebration.”

Sean Isabella of the News-Star reports that Grambling State will be forced to pay $20,000 for the forfeit, per SWAC bylaws. According to Isabella, Grambling AD Aaron James addressed rumors regarding threatening emails that were supposedly sent to student-athletes about the possibility of losing their scholarships prior to today’s bus-strike.

Main takeaway from that is Grambling isn’t expected to revoke any scholarships despite boycott, per AD Aaron James.
— Sean Isabella (@ST_IsabellaTNS) October 19, 2013