Winston-Salem State AD says school will do better after viral video showing a grounds crew worker painting crooked yardage markers

Winston-Salem State says it will make sure that its football field markings are more exact going forward.

After a viral video showed a grounds crew member, uh, estimating the white yardage markers on a sideline with a can of white spray paint, athletic director Eric Burns issued a statement on Monday acknowledging that the markings “fell short” of school standards.

(Note: The video below contains explicit language)

“The field markings at our last home game fell short of WSSU athletics’ standards, and I take responsibility,” Burns said in a statement. “We’ve secured additional field preparation support and implemented new checks to ensure this is addressed before our next home game. Our student-athletes and Ram Nation deserve the highest standard, and we are committed to meeting it every time.”

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“The field markings at our last home game fell short of WSSU athletics’ standards, and I take responsibility,” Burns said in a statement. “We’ve secured additional field preparation support and implemented new checks to ensure this is addressed before our next home game. Our student-athletes and Ram Nation deserve the highest standard, and we are committed to meeting it every time.”

Winston-Salem State plays its home games at Bowman Gray Stadium, a facility that has a quarter-mile race track around it that is regularly used for auto racing events. The school hosted Bowie State on Saturday as much of North Carolina was plagued by rain from the remnants of Hurricane Isaias.

The Rams lost that game 21-0 to fall to 0-6 overall and 0-4 in CIAA play.