NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Black state lawmakers from Tennessee and Mississippi will gather in Nashville Friday, Aug. 28, for “The Tiger Affair,” a reception kicking off a weekend that will renew one of HBCU football’s most storied rivalries.
Presented by the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators and the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, the reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the AME Publishing House, 900 13th Ave. S.
The event will bring together legislators, community leaders, alumni and supporters ahead of Saturday’s John A. Merritt Classic between Tennessee State University and Jackson State University.
Former ABC News anchor and Jackson State alumnus DeMarco Morgan will attend as a special guest.
The reception will be hosted by Tennessee state Rep. Jesse Chism, chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus; state Sen. Charlane Oliver, vice chair; Mississippi state Rep. Kabir Karriem, chair of the Mississippi Black Caucus; and state Sen. Rod Hickman, vice chair. The Tennessee Titans Foundation and The Buffalo PAC are sponsoring the event.
The weekend culminates Saturday, Aug. 29, when Tennessee State and Jackson State meet at 7:30 p.m. at Vanderbilt University’s FirstBank Stadium. The game is being played at Vanderbilt because the Tennessee Titans will host the Chicago Bears in their preseason finale at Nissan Stadium that weekend.
The matchup has special significance because of legendary coach John A. Merritt’s connections to both universities. Before becoming the winningest coach in Tennessee State history, Merritt spent 11 seasons leading Jackson State.
TSU and Jackson State have met 55 times, with Tennessee State holding a 30-23-2 advantage in the series. The teams last played in 2022, when Jackson State won 16-3. Saturday will mark their first meeting in Nashville since 2001.
“The Tiger Affair” is scheduled for Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by the John A. Merritt Classic Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at FirstBank Stadium.
