In correspondence with the Florida A&M Rattlers' Fall Football Training Camp (Aug. 4-Aug. 26), Tallahassee Democrat reporter Gerald Thomas, III will chronicle the team as it prepares for the 2023 season by providing practice reports, player and coach spotlights, and inside looks at the program as they become available. Thomas presents, 'FAMU HARD KNOCKS.'

The Florida A&M football team aims to uphold the university's motto Excellence with Caring.

On Thursday, the Rattlers participated in a community service project at local Tallahassee middle school R. Frank Nims, where the team mulched the outdoor hallways of the institution.

And they completed the task in the warm weather upwards of 90 degrees ahead of the first day of fall training camp, which begins on Friday.

Willie Simmons, who's entering his sixth year as FAMU's head coach, says that a requirement of his team is to display selflessness and leadership qualities.

"Part of our responsibility is to be servants," Simmons said. "So, we wanted to take this day before we get started up to really give back to this great community. We've been committed to being more heavily involved with the Leon County School System.

"Nims Middle School is right around the corner [from FAMU's campus] and [Nims principal Dr. Benny L. Bolden Jr.] has done an amazing job turning the school around.

"So, just to come out today and have the guys help beautify the campus is a great team bonding exercise for our players. But it's also a way to give back to this great to community that some of our guys even call home."

Bolden, who was named principal in 2019, is a FAMU graduate, arriving to college in the Class of 1999. He was a Music major, completing his degree in 2005 and a member of The 'Incomparable' Marching '100.'

Having student-athletes from his alma mater give back to the school he oversees was very special to Bolden.

"Partnerships like this between Florida A&M University and R. Frank Nims Middle School creates sustainability and is meaningful," he said. "It really changes communities so our kids can come to a campus that's beautified and looks no different than any other campus within our city.

"It helps that act of engagement and I could not be even more proud. One because it's my alumni ― but the fact that it's the football team coming over here and giving back to our community."

FAMU Rattlers and R. Frank Nims Middle School holds special connection, pipeline between the institutions

Just as Principal Bolden is connected to FAMU, the Rattlers' players and staffers are also affiliated with Nims.

FAMU wide receivers coach Antonio 'AC' Carter and director of recruiting Devin Rispress are alumni of Nims. Additionally, receiver Marcus Riley and running back Jaquez Yant graduated from the school.

Riley is a graduate transfer from Bethune-Cookman, playing his final year of eligibility at FAMU. Yant, a junior, also transferred to FAMU this year after playing at Nebraska.

"It means everything to come back and give whatever I could give just like people did when I was in school. I'm just making sure this generation has what I didn't," Riley, a Preseason All-SWAC Second Team selection said.

"I'm excited to be back in the city. I'm playing for FAMU, but I'm really playing for Tallahassee at the end of the day. I'm ready to get started."

Another Tallahassee native on FAMU's roster is senior tight end Kamari Young.

Young, also a Preseason All-SWAC Second Team selection, didn't attend Nims, but understands the importance of returning the favor to a city that helped him become who he is today.

"I came from a local school, so it means a lot," Young, a Godby High School alumnus said. "Growing up, you see a lot of people that make it.

"So, seeing someone that was in your shoes lets you know that it's attainable."

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Rattlers do community service before camp's start