It started off rainy and wet, but the sun soon came out and shined on the 2014 Chicago Football Classic.
The annual charity event that puts a spotlight on the academic advancement of Chicago youth took place at Soldier Field on Saturday afternoon to a lively crowd that came ready to show their support and respect for historically black colleges and universities (HBCU).
The day, which culminated in a football battle between Central State University and Morehouse College, began with the 2014 HBCU College Fair and Empowerment Summit, and a high school battle of the bands. The college fair, which had over 25 historically black colleges and universities in attendance, focused on financial planning, as both parents and students prepare to take on the most daunting task of beginning their college career, paying college tuition.
As fans began to fill the seats for Central State University vs Morehouse College, the atmosphere was nostalgic and very familiar to any student or alumni of a historically black college or university. The bands, dance ensembles and color guards were all there to give Soldier Field a little HBCU flavor.
The Morehouse Tigers scored first and jumped out to an early lead on a beautiful 49 yard pass from Monqavious Johnson to Lake McGuffie. The combo would also later hookup for a 13 yard touchdown in the 4th quarter which gave the Tigers a 37-7 lead. Morehouse quarterback, Monqavious Johnson, also connected with Devon Mann for three touchdowns on the way to a convincing 43-9 win over the Central State Marauders.
The first half of the game was merely a pre-show to the star studded halftime performances, which featured host “Tone Kapone and Shag” from Power 92 and morning host Leon Rogers of “The Morning Riot” on WGCI. Englewood native, “Spenzo,” also blessed the crowd by performing his smash hit “Wife Er,” as well as a new song of his that was sure to please fans of the hometown rapper. He was joined in his performance by Diggy Simmons, son of legendary rapper and member of Run DMC, “Rev. Run.” The halftime show was capped off by a riveting battle of the bands between Morehouse and Central State. As the bands blasted out tunes from some of our favorite “old school” artists like Frankie Beverley and Charlie Wilson, they also played some new favorites by Pete Pablo and Tamela Mann for us to grove to.
In the end, it was a clean sweep for Morehouse College as they took home the crown in both the Football Classic (for the second straight year) and The Battle of the Bands. The sun set on another beautiful experience at The Chicago Football Classic.
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