Top-5 G.O.A.T.s: FAMU student-athletes rate their favorites from rappers to mental wellness activities – Tallahassee Democrat
When it comes to the G.O.A.T.s (greatest of all time) everybody has an opinion about who’s on the list, who didn’t make the cut and why.
The foundation of these conversations is rooted in championships, fanhood, age and sometimes geographical backgrounds.
In the opener of this two-part series, coaches of various sports programs at Florida A&M contribute to the debate with their top-5 best of the best.
They provided content for their argument with stats, historical significance and the impact of these individuals on their sport.
Part two of this feature includes commentary from the Rattler student-athletes.
These millennials showcase diverse favorites with their list. They love sports, but they took a different path with their top-5.
Their talking points range from listing rappers to executing mental wellness strategies.
Dominique Washington played just one season with the Rattlers. But it was a season for the ages.
The grad student transfer from Georgia Tech was First-Team All-SWAC, Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Tournament MVP.
Washington was one of the best offensive players in the nation. She finished third in the NCAA in total kills (489) and fifth in points (539.5).
Her pregame ritual includes jamming to music to get hyped on the floor. Listed below are Washington’s top-5 current rappers.
“I mainly play Young Thug and Playboy Carti before games. They’re heavy on my playlist,” Washington said.
“JAM” loves being a Rattler.
He’s a native of Houston and grew up engulfed in SWAC culture. Now that FAMU is in the conference, it adds sizzle to the pride for his university.
While he knows several facts about Texas and baseball, his list is dedicated to all things FAMU.
McCollum loves throwing strikes.
On his list, he breaks down the top-5 things that make him “Strike, strike and strike again” about his beloved Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
In his debut with the Rattlers in 2021, Jay Jackson-Williams plowed over foes en route to being named Second-Team All-SWAC.
He next hopes to raise his performance in the NFL.
This massive offensive lineman also has a top-5 ranking dedicated to hip-hop.
Jackson-Williams doesn’t rank his MCs from one through five. Depending on the day and the mood, these stars are interchangeable as far as who tops the list.
“I’m from the West Coast, so I gotta have 2Pac and Kendrick Lamar on my list. My favorite 2Pac song is Hail Mary. That song is raw and hard,” Jackson-Williams said.
The top-5 list for Arielle Nealy goes beyond sports and music. This senior from Buffalo, N.Y. cares deeply for the wellness of mind, body and soul.
She implements these exercises to help achieve maximum results on the tennis court and inside the classroom.
“In my time away from tennis, it’s important that I cater to my other individual interests. of mental wellness and cathartic events. This brings balance and helps me,” Nealy said.
Follow FAMU beat writer Rory Sharrock on Twitter @married2game1.
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