Quinn Gray assures fan safety at FAMU-Southern, FSU-Clemson games

After a shooting on Perry Street outside Florida A&M’s football stadium, head coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. is calling for fans to attend Saturday afternoon’s rivalry clash against the Southern Jaguars and then the nightcap Florida State-Clemson game across the railroad tracks.On Friday, Gray posted a nearly minute-and-a-half video on social media to announce that, after discussions with Tallahassee mayor John Dailey, there will be increased police presence so local football fans can enjoy the showdowns.“After a conversation with Mayor Dailey and some of our very high-up law enforcement officers, I want to assure you all that this weekend’s events will be safe,” Gray said. “Mayor Dailey and the law enforcement office have assured us that these areas will be protected by law enforcement heavily.”Following FAMU’s Oct. 24 homecoming football game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, gunfire erupted on Perry Street, right outside the west side of the Rattlers’ home, Bragg Memorial Stadium, following a series of fights. Eleven were shot, and 12 were injured.The following day, Tallahassee Police Department arrested 15-year-old Anthony Rivers III in connection with the shooting on 11 counts of attempted homicide and possession of a firearm by a delinquent. He was formally charged as an adult Oct. 27 and booked into the Leon County Detention Facility.“We understand that there’s recovery taking place from last weekend’s events on Perry Street, and we stand with those families during this time,” Gray continued.FAMU-Southern, one of the oldest rivalries in college football, kicks off on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium at 3 p.m. and will be televised on HBCU GO and on Tallahassee radio airwaves via 96.1 JAMZ.The Rattlers enter the game 2-6 and 1-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference as they look for a late-season turnaround under the first-year head coach and former FAMU star quarterback. Southern is 3-5 and 1-3 in the SWAC under first-year head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk.As for FSU, it’s a key game for the Seminoles (3-4, 1-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) amid an athletics shake-up and uncertainty about the program’s future under head coach Mike Norvell. Clemson is 4-3 and 2-2 in the ACC under head coach Dabo Swinney.FSU-Clemson kicks off at 7 p.m. from Doak Campbell Stadium and is on the ACC Network.“We want to invite you all to Bragg Memorial Stadium and Doak Campbell Stadium, ensuring that you will have a good time and enjoy the game of college football,” Gray said. “So come on out, support FAMU football and Florida State football, and enjoy this weekend’s activities, understanding that we still, and will always, support those affected by last week’s events. We thank you and look forward to seeing you. Go Rattlers.”Florida A&M (2-6, 1-3 in SWAC) vs Southern (3-5, 1-3 in SWAC) ― Week 9, SWACWhen: Saturday, Oct. 31 at 3 p.m.Where: Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, FloridaTV/Radio: HBCU GO, 96.1 JAMZFlorida A&M football scores and full 2026 scheduleCurrent record: 2-6, 1-3 in SWACAll times are EasternSaturday, Aug. 29: FAMU 20, Albany State 7Sunday, Sept. 6 (Orange Blossom Classic): South Carolina State 31, FAMU 13Thursday, Sept. 10: Miami 77, FAMU 7Saturday, Sept. 19: Tennessee State 29, FAMU 26Saturday, Sept. 26: Alabama A&M 40, FAMU 21Saturday, Oct. 3: BYEFriday, Oct. 9: FAMU 28, Alabama State 27Saturday, Oct. 17: Jackson State 27, FAMU 17Saturday, Oct. 24 (Homecoming): Arkansas-Pine Bluff 31, FAMU 28Saturday, Oct. 31: vs. Southern (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GOSaturday, Nov. 7: at Alcorn State (SWAC), 3 p.m., SWAC TVSaturday, Nov. 14: vs. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC), 3 p.m., SWAC TVSaturday, Nov. 21: vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic), 3:30 p.m., ESPN+Gerald Thomas, III, is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat under the USA TODAY Network.Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Quinn Gray assures fan safety at FAMU-Southern, FSU-Clemson games