Henry: Simmons enjoys homecoming, gets to work

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- At the 11-minute mark in the second quarter, the public address announcer at Bragg-Memorial Stadium urged the crowd to welcome Willie Simmons home.

Not that anyone needed to be asked, but applause and cheers erupted in orange and green unison.

‘Ray-Ray’ is home.

Now the heavy lifting starts, though Simmons couldn’t have scripted Saturday’s spring game any better.

Even before the crowd of 7,622 settled in, the Rattlers’ offense struck for a 75-yard touchdown against the defense on the game’s first play, compliments of quarterback Ryan Stanley to electric receiver Chad Hunter.

From that moment, FAMU’s future was on display under Simmons.

This could be fun.

The Tallahassee native and former Quincy Shanks star quarterback couldn’t help but smile when he looked into the stands before the game.

He posed for photographs, shook the hands of well-wishers and hugged family and friends.

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