Willie Simmons, Florida A&M Wins Another National Championship, 45 Years To The Day
On this day 45 years ago, Rudy Hubbard led his Florida A&M football team to victory against UMass with a score of 35-28. This historic win secured the first-ever NCAA Division I-AA (FCS) Championship title for a black college. To this day, no other black college has been able to repeat this incredible feat.
"I know Coach Hubbard is smiling right now. I'm sure I have a text from him congratulating me. He's been one of my biggest supporters...Just to be able to be mentioned in the same breath as Jake Gaither, Rudy Hubbard, Billy Joe, Ken Riley, or Joe Taylor, It's truly special."
Today, Willie Simmons and his Rattlers team strolled into Mercedes-Benz Stadium and swaggered out after defeating Howard, 30-26, for the school's first-ever Celebration Bowl title.
Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons holds up the Celebration Bowl trophy after a victory against the Howard Bison at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
"Championship games are a little unique," Willie Simmons told the media. "We talked to the guys about it's the next game up. No game is bigger than any other game, plus the championship."
Three seasons after transferring from the MEAC, Florida A&M will bring home the game's trophy and the 2023 HBCU Football National Championship crown. It was Florida A&M's time. And the SWAC!
"That's why football is such a critical part of our foundation here," Simmons noted, "We're really trying to apply those principles across the board. To see them excited about this championship. I told them in the locker room. Now that you're champions. The expectation is that you stay a champion. That you go be a champion tonight, that you make good decisions. That tomorrow, in the offseason. You continue to be champions, and no one can ever take that away from you. So we just want to instill those values in our young men, and I tip my hat to them for continuing to believe us."
Dec. 16, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Florida A&M Head Coach Willie Simmons kneels on the ground after the Cricket Celebration Bowl game between Florida A&M University and Howard University at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. FAMU defeated Howard 30-26. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network
After years of futility, the Southwestern Athletic Conference has finally been able to boost having a Celebration Bowl champion. Deion Sanders and Jackson State fell short twice, and several other SWAC coaches had tried, but Willie Simmons and the Florida A&M Rattlers succeeded.
The ninth installment of the Celebration Bowl had over 41,000 spectators in the arena and approximately a million watching a second straight thrilling contest. Saturday's match lived up to its billing with lead changes, competitiveness, drama, and layers of compelling storylines we'll discuss well into the future.
Jeremy Moussa and his offense weren't perfect, but like true champions, they took an early beating, got off the mat, kept his team fighting, and became HBCU Legends.
Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons celebrates with staff against the Howard Bison in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Tallahassee will again be known as a powerhouse in collegiate football, with Florida A&M (12-1) and Florida State (13-0) each posting over 12 wins this season. Also, the legendary Orange and Forest Green colors will be feared and revered.
"He [God] brought me at the right time. He set it up to where when I came, the path was laid for us to be successful and set the foundation." Should Willie Simmons remain at Florida A&M, his football program's name will continue to be synonymous with the words "Champions and Legends."
Congratulations, and thank you to the Florida A&M Rattlers for their outstanding 2023 football season!
