Grambling State players send letter
ESPN.com news services
Grambling State football players complained of mold and mildew on equipment and in facilities, having to pay for Gatorade out of their own pockets and even said which assistants they thought would make a good interim coach after the firing of Doug Williams in a letter to the administration obtained by ESPN's Pedro Gomez.
On Friday, Grambling State canceled its football game against Jackson State after Grambling's disgruntled players refused to travel to Jackson, Miss., for the game Saturday.
Players Not Bluffing
Grambling players sent a letter to the administration outlining their complaints. Read the full Document
• Keown: Will administration fold?
The letter says "there are certain factors that are hindering us from reaching our goals" and then elaborates on many of them.
The athletic complex "is in horrible condition, and has many hazards that may contribute to our overall health," the letter says. "First, the complex is filled with mildew and mold. Mildew and mold can be seen on the ceiling, walls and floor, and are contributing to water leaks because of faltering walls and ceilings."
As has been reported before, the players say that the floor is coming up in the weight room, but the letter also asks that the university supply better detergent for uniforms.
"The uniforms are poorly cleaned and contribute to the multiple cases if staph infection," the letter reads. "Several players have been infected with staph multiple times."
A group of 26 photos obtained by Gomez from an unnamed Grambling State player appear to illustrate some of the players' complaints.
Several of the photographs show walls and ceiling tiles and even player equipment that appear to be covered in mold or mildew. Other photos show floors from the facility's weight-training room missing wide sections of its rubberized floor tiles, and torn and tattered covers to some of the room's weightlifting benches.
According to the letter, players have been complaining for some time that Gatorade and the supplement Muscle Milk were not supplied during summer camp or workouts.
[Grambling shoulder pads]
An anonymous Grambling State player supplied this photo of what appears to be mold or mildew on equipment.
"We had to pay for those expensive items ourselves," the letter states. "We were also forced to get water from hoses underneath the stadium in 90 degree plus weather."
As has also been reported, players took exception to the fact that they had to travel by bus to Kansas City and Indianapolis.
"One trip was 14 hours while the other was 17," the letter says. "Players were drained and exhausted after those long rides."
The players were bothered, according to the letter, that "the president and athletic director traveled by plane."
In addition, the letter states that money from "friends of football and the alumni association ... is being rejected" because the organizations donating the money want it to go to specific areas, while the university demands that it be applied to the university or athletics as a whole.
Finally, the letter addresses the firing of Doug Williams in September.
"The football team was not addressed and received no sign of compassion from administration until over a month later," the letter says, adding that "the administration fired the head coach without plans of placing a competent coach in as interim."
The letter states that the players did not support interim coach George Ragsdale, who has since been relieved of those duties, saying he "contributed to five of the seven loses of the season."
According to the letter, the players supported "coach Dirt Winston, Vyron Brown, or C.C Culpepper." Winston was named new interim coach Thursday.
Grambling officials met throughout a chaotic Friday, trying to rectify the sour situation between players and administration. Apparently, nothing could be worked out so that the game could be played.
After Saturday's game was called off, Grambling spokesman Will Sutton said late Friday that university officials would have no further comment. He said players would not be available for interviews.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
