(PresidentialHill.com)- A white high school quarterback top prospect who used the n-word while paraphrasing rap lyrics has been stripped of his scholarship at the University of Florida.
A video showing Marcus Stokes, a Ponte Vedra Beach’s Nease High School student repeating the song while driving alone was uploaded to social media. In the now-deleted two-second film, the football prospect is heard saying, “Welcome back, n—-.”
After the controversy over the tape, Stokes later apologized. Stokes said in a statement that he was in his car listening to rap music, rapping along to the songs, and sharing a video of it to social media.
“I deeply apologize for the words in the song which I chose to say,” said Stokes.
Stokes acknowledged that the scholarship had been revoked due to the video.
He said his intention was never to cause harm, and even though he was just singing along with a song, he understood that what he said still had a lot of impacts.
Tim Tebow, a Florida legend and Heisman Trophy winner, attended the same high school as Stokes.
The issue on social media was controversial, but most people who responded to the teen’s tweet expressed outrage at the university’s action.
“As a black professional who graduated from UF, I have a few professors whose positions I’d want to advocate being terminated if this action ends in taking a scholarship. This is atrocious,” one Twitter user remarked.
“Best of luck, bro. This is a sad day for UF.”
Another person remarked that Stokes had devoted his entire life to practicing and playing football. He has made an effort to outperform everyone else. There is not a single racist bone in his entire body. “University of Florida doesn’t deserve this young man.”
Others argued that the video was only an excuse because Jaden Rashada, another top quarterback prospect, was recently signed by the University of Florida.
This past July, Marcus Stokes switched his commitment from Penn State after receiving scholarship offers from 11 Division-1 institutions.
If a song can be played on the radio, it should be able to be repeated by anyone who hears it without repercussions. Otherwise, it shouldn’t be played.
