While watching the first Willard Bailey Classic last Saturday night at Hovey Field between Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University, a number of us witnessed unsportsmanlike conduct by several Rams players and blatant bias by the referees, with favoritism to the North Carolina team.

Rams players were hitting late, twisting ankles and trash talking, but obvious penalties were not called. There was animosity left from VUU’s 37-14 shellacking of Winston-Salem State last season at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Virginia Union had two touchdowns called back. In fact, the disparity in penalties called was humongous. Winston-Salem State was penalized eight times for a loss of 62 yards. VUU was penalized 14 times for a total 161-yard loss. In a game VUU lost by 1 point, 21-20, that disparity was major.

The CIAA must fix this North Carolina school bias by referees. 

After the game, VUU Coach Mark James called Winston-Salem State’s team to the field for the award ceremony. Some of the Rams players were emphatic, saying, “We don’t want your f…ing award,” while their coach watched silently.

Coach James caught one of the Rams student athletes and gave him some uplift and advice about sportsmanship and life.

Unsportsmanlike conduct is dangerous and must be checked. Thanks Coach James for keeping it classy not ashy!

KING SALIM KHALFANI

Richmond