HBCU football coach apologizes for recruiting Florida prospect who lost scholarship for racial slur

The head football coach at historically black Albany State University apologized on Friday for extending a scholarship offer to a four-star high school quarterback recruit who lost a previous scholarship for used a racial slur.

Last November, a video emerged of quarterback Marcus Stokes, who is White, singing a song in a car whose lyrics contained the n-word. The video went viral and caused a huge uproar on social media. Stokes had originally committed to playing in his home state at the University of Florida on a scholarship, but the university rescinded that offer shortly after the video was released.

Stokes quickly responded to the controversy once the video was revealed. “I was in my car listening to rap music, rapping about the words, and I posted a video of it on social media,” Stokes said in a statement, according to CBS Sports. “I deeply apologize for the words of the song I chose to say.”

As he continued to search for a school where he could play after graduating from high school, Stokes tweeted last Tuesday that he received an offer from Albany State and head coach Quinn Gray.

Three days later, Gray posted a lengthy apology on the school’s website, in which he said “the consequences of my actions have hurt our university. I was trying to help a student return to competition , and in my haste, I did disregard the impact the decision would have on all of you.

“Frankly, it wasn’t up to me to use ASU as a buyout platform in this case,” Gray continued. “I regret that I used misjudgment. If given the chance, I will do better.”

Gray also said Marion Ross Fedrick, president of the university, made it clear that her actions did not meet school standards.

Since his Florida scholarship offer was revoked, Stokes has also received interest from Alabama A&M and West Florida. Stokes still seemed optimistic about finding a way to play college football, Tweeter “I’ll find a house” in response to Albany State’s offer.