Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body sustained a shoulder injury in the Orange Blossom Classic that will end his season. Body was hurt in the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ 31-24 loss to fellow HBCU North Carolina Central University.
On a designed quarterback run, Body was hit and came up awkwardly. He would look as if he was in pain and unable to move what appeared at first to be his right hand. Kyle Mosley of HBCU Legends confirmed with the family that it was indeed his shoulder and he would be shutting down for the season.
Body has shown the ability to be an elite athlete. He was highly touted from high school in Corpus Christi, TX, and had outstanding seasons at Texas Southern University before entering the transfer portal after an injury last season.
Splitting time at ASU with Jonah O’Brien under center, the Hornets who were picked by SWAC coaches and media persons to win the Eastern Division are left without the luxury of two quarterbacks.
Body had rushed for 134 yards in the game including two touchdowns for Alabama State. He was the SWAC leader in rushing for the opening week of the season. Now, it will be a healing process and evaluation of “What’s next” for Body and his family.
We spoke to those who cover HBCUs in other media sources to get their reaction to Andrew Body’s injury:
“It is an unfortunate prognosis. However, it is inherent in the game of football. This is why the academic side of the equation is so important. As the dean of the College of Education and full professor at Texas Southern University, I have had the pleasure to view his growth and maturation in college, I wish the young man all of the best. He is a young man that is full of promise on and off the field; furthermore, he is magnetic to all that meet him.”
- Dr. Kenyatta Cavil, Inside the HBCU Sports Lab
“I’m empathetic to the journey and projection of Andrew’s career. He is an amazing talent, who has done things the right way and worked really hard to earn his individual and team successes. I wish him well in his recovery and look forward to watching him successfully return to the field.”
- Kelvin Rosier, O&G Strike Zone
“You’re heartbroken for the young man. In a season where there is so much parity and not a dearth of household names especially at QB in HBCU Football, Andrew Body definitely held the potential of taking Alabama St to the next level. Just looking at him try to will Bama St to a win with his legs was an eye opening precursor to what was on the horizon.”
- Charles Bishop, Inside the HBCU Sports Lab
“I hate that for the 2nd consecutive season, this young man suffered a season-ending injury in the 1st game of the season. The culture has been robbed of seeing how dynamic this young man can be for his team and teammates. And for the crowd that somehow blames Coach Robinson for “putting him in a position to get hurt,” is unfounded. Body’s gift is his ability to be a dual-threat QB. There is risk and reward to that. Unfortunately, Alabama St is going to have to deal with the risk.”
Bryan Fulford, Jericho Broadcasting Network