The Morgan State University football team and the Norfolk State University Spartan Legion got very familiar on Saturday. A little too familiar.
A video posted on Facebook shows the band and football team bumping into each other under Dick Price Stadium prior to the start of the game. In a matter of seconds things went from a confrontation to shoving to at least one MSU football player throwing what appear to be punches at a Norfolk State band member.
A source tells HBCU Gameday the melee began when a player was allegedly hit by a flagpole.
This went on for several seconds as a second player approached the band member while the punches were being thrown. The camera pans backwards at this point.
HBCU Gameday has reached out to Morgan State and Norfolk State for further information.
Morgan State picked up the 32-28 win on Saturday, notching its second win of the season.
Update: Morgan State VP of Athletics Dena Freeman-Patton has released a statement.
Congratulations to our Bears football team on a great comeback victory in a very competitive game against the Norfolk State University Spartans. We thank Norfolk State for hosting us during their homecoming celebration. Norfolk State has a great campus with a great sports atmosphere, and we look forward to future competitions against the Spartans.
Apart from the positive aspects of the game and its outcome, it has come to our attention that during the day’s activities, an incident transpired resulting in an altercation between parties from both universities, particularly involving members of the football team and the Spartan band.
This matter is currently being investigated and will result in any appropriate actions needed to be taken. What transpired off the field is not reflective of what Morgan State University stands for or the core values it upholds. Our student-athletes are committed to behaving in a manner consistent with the expectations at the National Treasure.
Update: Norfolk State athletics declined to comment on the events that took place at Dick Price Stadium on Saturday.