By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
MONTGOMERY — A halftime comment during Saturday’s Florida A&M vs. Alabama State football game sparked outrage and prompted an apology from Florida A&M’s president after a band announcer mocked the body image of ASU’s celebrated Honey Beez dance team.
Florida A&M band announcer Joe Bullard referred to the Honey Beez — a dance team known for their confidence, artistry, and defiance of stereotypes — as “the new face of Ozempic,” a drug often associated with weight loss. The remark was first reported by HBCU Gameday.
Florida A&M President Dr. Larry Robinson responded quickly, saying the university was taking “immediate steps to ensure accountability.” He described the comments as inconsistent with the school’s values and promised to address the matter internally.
Alabama State University President Dr. Quinton Ross issued a strong rebuke, calling the remarks “distasteful” and “short-sighted.”
“To have their artistry disrespected after such a performance is absolutely unacceptable,” Ross wrote. “Honey Beez, please know that you are celebrated, valued, and admired for the joy that you bring to the Hornet Nation, and also for the bold and fearless way you represent the very best of ASU.”
The Honey Beez, founded in 2004, have earned national recognition for breaking barriers in collegiate dance lines by showcasing plus-size women performers with precision and flair. Their performance at Saturday’s game drew loud applause from fans before the announcer’s comments overshadowed the moment.
The incident has reignited broader conversations about body-shaming in sports and the responsibility of HBCUs to uplift, not undermine, each other.