HBCU culture was on display at the Linc with an Allen Iverson cameo and an epic battle of the bands

Delaware State and Norfolk State met once again in a haunting rematch of last year’s inaugural HBCU Classic.

This time, on Halloween, it was DeSean Jackson’s Delaware State team that once again got the better of Michael Vick’s Spartans, this time by a final score of 36-33 inside Lincoln Financial Field.

It was the second night in a row that the Linc became the center of HBCU football fandom and all that goes with it. On Friday, Virginia Union stole the show as it trounced nearby Lincoln, 62-0.

But here are the highlights of what took place on Saturday …

Last year, the stars were out in the first matchup between the two teams. Cam Newton, Marshawn Lynch, Meek Mill, and Brandon Graham were in attendance supporting both Jackson and Vick. On Saturday, one of those names made a second appearance.

Graham, the former Eagles defensive end, took photos with fans at halftime from the sidelines. Last year at the Classic, Graham talked about the possibility of coaching in his future.

In addition to Graham, former Sixers star Allen Iverson also made an appearance.

Iverson and Vick were also both in attendance at the Sixers-Knicks game on Friday night at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. So, it’s no surprise that the 11-time All-Star came to support his fellow Philly athlete.

The sounds of Tevin Campbell’s “Can we talk,” Dru Hill’s “5 Steps,” and Roscoe Dash’s and Waka Flocka Flame’s “No Hands” rang through Lincoln Financial Field four hours ahead of game time.

But the sounds weren’t coming from the stadium’s sound system, it was being played through the brass, the woodwinds, and the percussion of seven different marching bands competing in the One Philly Week Battle of the Bands.

The seven HBCU universities that competed were: Virginia State, Hampton, Lincoln, Virginia Union, Morgan State, Norfolk State, and Delaware State. Each school participated in the stands and field competition before Norfolk State took on Delaware State on the gridiron.

HBCU’s are known for their electric marching bands, incorporating dance, showmanship, and modern hits and old classics into their routines. Renel Sample, 62, an Elizabeth State City University alumni talked about the importance of an HBCU’s band.

“The drum line and the band is a major part of any HBCU,” Sample said. “If you’re part of the school, the drum lines and the bands are almost a subculture within themselves. They’re so tight. They come to camps early like football players do and they stay friends for life. It’s a great part of the whole culture.”

Halftime shows have become just as important as the game. Instead of fans making their way to restrooms or concessions, they stay to watch the performance.

This year, both Norfolk State and Delaware State’s band, known as The Approaching Storm, performed at halftime, playing songs like Rihanna’s “Disturbia”, Jay Z’s “What More Can I Say,” and Chris Brown’s “Residuals.”

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker played a big role in Saturday’s Classic. Before flipping the coin for the coin toss for a second day in a row, Parker rallied the crowd during the Battle of the Bands.

“I think we’ve started something, Philadelphia,” Parker said. “I think we have started something, HBCUs.”

Norfolk State alumni James Parker went to last year’s HBCU Classic game and enjoyed it so much he attended both HBCU games at the Linc this year as a way to celebrate his birthday weekend.

“I’m so happy that the mayor and Philadelphia made this a whole HBCU week,” Parker said. “It’s just great for the culture, great for the high school kids to see these colleges. And I think it’s just going to get bigger and bigger. … The HBCU culture is a special culture within itself. It’s just more of a family atmosphere. There’s fierce rivalries but in the end we love each other.”

That love could be seen throughout the arena with a number of fans wearing their alma mater’s colors — whether they attended Norfolk State and Delaware State or if they went to Virginia State or Cheney.

A number of Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson Eagles jerseys could also be spotted in the crowd with both players returning to the Linc as head coaches.

“I’m from Philly, Michael Vick is from Newport News, which is where I live now,” Parker said. “Now, we’re seeing him come back to Philly. And he’s done so much for Norfolk State, even though he [didn’t win] one game last year, you cannot buy the amount of advertising that the school is getting.”

Four hours before kickoff, Sample sat in front of his 13-foot grill Big Shirley, wearing his Elizabeth State City University hoodie, excited to celebrate his HBCU roots with those around him — including his friend Uhuru Hamiter, a former Eagles defensive end, who is part of Delaware State’s 2026 Hall of Fame class.

“We’re celebrating HBCUs,” Sample said. “HBCU saved my life. Some students, like me, who wasn’t a great kid and wasn’t a great student was able to go to an HBCU and turn my life around. So, that kind of thing is happening for a lot of kids out there.”

As a way to celebrate HBCU culture, Sample thought it was only fitting to bring out Big Shirley, who has traveled with him to places like North Carolina, New York, and Chicago for over 12 years now. On Saturday, he was whipping up some chicken, ribs, burgers, sausages, salmon, and seafood mac and cheese.

“To have these games start exposing kids in Philly to HBCUs is a great thing,” Sample said. “And that’s why I’m here to support it.”