After long hiatus, Orange Blossom Classic back
Ending a 41-year hiatus, the Orange Blossom Classic will be played this weekend.
The Florida A&M Rattlers and the Jackson State Tigers will compete in the 47th edition of the Orange Blossom Classic on Sunday at 3 p.m at Hard Rock Stadium.
Held between 1933 and 1978, the Orange Blossom Classic included Florida A&M and another historically Black school in an unofficial football championship game, commonly referred to as the “Black National Championship” game.
Originally held in Jacksonville, the inaugural game, which was played in front of 2,000 fans at a “blacks-only” ballpark, featured FAMU beating Howard University 9-0. Continuing over four decades, the classic would rotate from Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Tampa and Miami.
The Orange Blossom Classic committee and the city of Miami Gardens revealed the intention to revive the historic game in 2020, however, was forced to delay the contest due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When we first introduced the idea of reviving the Orange Blossom Classic, our hair stood up on the back of our necks,” Florida A&M coach Willie Simmons said. “We all understand how important this game is, not only to the city of Miami Gardens, but to Florida
A&M. I have a very strong feeling that the Black College National Champion may be decided from this game.”
Having faced off 19 times before, the Rattlers and the Tigers will renew their rivalry.
The rivals last competed against one another in 2018, when Jackson State defeated FAMU 18-16 in Tallahassee. Jackson State holds a 10-7-2 record over FAMU.
During coach Deion Sanders’ first season, the Tigers went 4-3 in the spring season, after several HBCUs opted to postpone the campaign due to the pandemic.
Following the decision to opt out of the 2020 season, Florida A&M will be hitting the gridiron for the first time since 2019. The Rattlers went 9-2 during the 2019 season.
“I hear that it’s phenomenal,” Sanders said. “The pageantry, the challenge, the teams, the bands, the alumni, the city of Miami in it of itself. I am looking forward to it, I can’t wait. The kids are excited. I just want us to keep the main the main thing and focus on what’s taking place on the field.”
Tickets for the game begin at $45 and are available at Ticketmaster.