Much has been said and written about Virginia State University (VSU) since the unfortunate events that lead to the unprecedented cancellation of the CIAA championship football game between the VSU Trojans and the Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Rams.
Understandably, for the VSU family, this is a very painful and emotional chapter in our storied history.
In spite of all the hyperbolic news reports of five VSU football players “viciously” attacking WSSU quarterback Rudy Johnson—largely driven by a less than objective North Carolina media outlet—the facts simply do not support this narrative.
Perhaps the Associated Press best summarized it: “The only thing clear is that Winston-Salem State quarterback Rudy Johnson was injured during a fight at a luncheon the day before last week’s scheduled CIAA championship game and a Virginia State player was arrested” for misdemeanor assault.
That’s all we know for sure.
And I don’t mean to minimize what happened and I would never condone acts of violence, regardless of circumstance; however, it is not even known for certain who initiated the altercation.
Meanwhile, not only was the championship game cancelled, but the CIAA declared VSU ineligible for postseason football while WSSU was allowed to advance in the NCAA playoffs.
