Joe Bullard is fessing up to his fumble.
After the longtime band announcer for Florida A&M University referred to the Honey Beez, a plus-size dance team from Alabama State University, as the “face of Ozempic” during a Sept. 27 football game, he issued an apology for his ill-received comments.
“Friendly competition and playful jesting have long been a part of HBCU [Historically Black Colleges and Universities] band culture, but I have come to understand that my words crossed a line,” Bullard wrote on Facebook Sept. 29, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. “My intention was never to belittle or disrespect the incredible young people who represent our schools with such grace, talent and pride.”
He added, “They are the embodiment of our culture, and they deserve nothing less than our full respect.”
In a video of Bullard’s remarks found online, the crowd audibly booed the announcer over what he referred to in his apology as “lighthearted banter” about the dancers needing the popularized weight loss drug.
