TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has fined Florida A&M University $10,000 and suspended band announcer Joe Bullard for the next two football games.

The public reprimand comes after Bullard made “inappropriate comments made over the public address system that occurred during Saturday’s football game against Alabama State University,” according to a Wednesday evening SWAC press release.

In a statement obtained by WCTV Tuesday afternoon , Bullard said his “comments directed toward the ASU Honey Beez were meant as lighthearted banter.” However, the band announcer went on to say he now recognizes how his remarks “came across in a way that was hurtful and disrespectful.”

Read Bullard’s full letter below:

The announcer’s apology comes just a day after

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