Naquan Smith and his Grambling football teammates have no regrets about a nearly weeklong boycott that forced the university to forfeit its game against Jackson State on Saturday.
Grambling players stood behind Smith Monday during a news conference outside of the Eddie Robinson Museum on campus. Smith said the entire team was present and that the vote to return to the field was "100 percent."
"The football team took a stance on what we thought was right," Smith said. "We did not quit on our university. There are many problems that exist and if no one says anything, nothing will become of our institution. We hope coach Eddie Robinson and his legendary players appreciate we took a stand and thought we were right."
Smith said players decided end the boycott after reaching out to several Grambling greats, including former coach Doug Williams, who advised them to, "Go out there and play football."
Williams also put them in contact with Baton Rouge businessman Jim Bernhard.
Smith said Bernhard told players he has their "best intentions at heart and that he would ensure we had updated facilities, but we had to agree to being back practicing Monday . . . and finish the remainder of our season."