The Southwestern Athletic Conference has upheld its suspension of longtime Florida A&M University band announcer Joe Bullard, according to a report.
Bullard, a fixture of FAMU’s famed “Marching 100” for decades, will remain sidelined for a second consecutive game as part of a two-game suspension imposed by the league after his on-air remark referencing Alabama State University’s Honey Beez dance team as “the new face of Ozempic, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.
The comment, made during Alabama State’s halftime show at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Sept. 27, drew swift backlash and prompted disciplinary action from both the SWAC and the university.
“The appeal was denied,” a FAMU spokesperson told the newspaper. “Mr. Bullard will not be announcing the halftime show this weekend.”
The decision means Bullard, who has been the voice of the Marching 100 for nearly 50 years, will miss what would have marked a milestone homecoming performance for the veteran announcer. The Oct. 18 game against Alcorn State will proceed without him.
The incident has continued to reverberate across HBCU circles. Known for his colorful and competitive banter during halftime shows, Bullard issued a public apology on Sept. 29, acknowledging that his words “crossed the line.” FAMU and the SWAC responded with parallel disciplinary measures.
The conference fined Florida A&M $10,000 and publicly reprimanded the university, while the school imposed its own sanctions, suspending Bullard from announcing the Oct. 11 matchup against North Carolina Central. He was also barred from attending band practices until after that game and required to complete Respectful Workplace and Anti-Harassment training through FAMU’s Office of Compliance and Ethics.
FAMU President Marva Johnson addressed the matter directly in an Oct. 1 letter to Bullard, warning that any repeat of “off-colored commentary” would result in further disciplinary action, including possible termination.
The SWAC’s decision closes the door on Bullard’s return for homecoming — a weekend that was expected to double as a golden-anniversary celebration of his iconic career behind the mic.
