Deion Sanders shifted the entire scope of college football by taking on head coaching duties at Jackson State University, raising the profile of the HBCU significantly in the process. The former NFL superstar is taking his talents to the University of Colorado but the move has drawn the ire of many, especially from the realm of Black Twitter.
Deion Sanders took the role of head coach at Jackson State University in 2020, raising the profile of the school and attracting top football recruits to the program in the process. His son, Shedeur Sanders, starred in the quarterback role at the school and is reportedly following his father to Colorado.
Sanders was rumored all weekend to be heading out of Jackson State to Colorado and the move was made official on Sunday (Dec. 4). Immediately after the news went wide, Sanders underwent a barrage of criticism in op-ed pieces and across social media. The common refrain among the many comments was a feeling of abandonment and that Sanders’ devotion to H HBCUs was self-serving at best. Also of note, Sanders told players at the press event announcing his arrival that players who were on the fence about leaving should do so.
“It ain’t gonna be no more of a mess that these wonderful fans, the student body, and some of your parents have put up with for probably two decades now. I’m coming, and when I get here, it’s gonna be changed,” Sanders said to players and staff at the conference. “So I want y’all to get ready to go ahead and jump in the portal and do whatever you’re gonna get because if more of you jump in, the more room you make.”
On Twitter, the Deion Sanders discussion is still going and we’ve got plenty of reactions listed out below.
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Photo: Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images / Getty
1.
Deion Sanders aka Coach Prime signed a 4-year, $1.2 million contract when he was named Jackson State head football coach in 2020.
In 2022, he signed a 5-year, $29.5 million contract as Colorado head football coach. pic.twitter.com/vekjrUBhrM
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(@theaveragevoter) December 5, 2022
2.
I’m not talking to nobody who didn’t graduate from a Black college about Deion Sanders leaving Jackson State for Colorado because, when it comes to HBCUs, you don’t have an opinion I care to hear and I’m absolutely okay with saying that. LOLOL
— Candice Marie Benbow (@CandiceBenbow) December 5, 2022
3.
White people/schools didn’t want Deion Sanders until they saw how drastically he transformed and improved a program at an HBCU. Tale as old as time.
— People Person’s Paper People (@Marc_Ellus) December 1, 2022
4.
I wish all those upset about Deion Sanders taking a new job and leaving JSU and Mississippi in a far better position than he found it, were this vocal when Brett Favre stole all that money in Mississippi.
Please keep the same level of momentum for Brett as you have for #Deion.
— Sylvia K. Alston (@SylviaKAlston) December 5, 2022
5.
Honestly the pressure should not be on @DeionSanders to stay at Jackson State.
It should be on another high profile Black former NFL / College player to succeed him.
Carry the torch.
Deion stepped up and coached for 3 years. He started the trend.
Who’s Next?
— Isaac Hayes III (@IsaacHayes3) December 4, 2022
6.
It hurts that Deion Sanders left JSU for Colorado but I can’t complain about black coaches not getting chances then getting upset when they accept the rare opportunity. HBCU coaches almost never get consideration for these types of vacancies. So best of luck to @DeionSanders
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) December 4, 2022
7.
– Saban makes 9 million a year from bama
– Deion Sanders makes 300K from JSU
-Georgia’s strength and conditioning coach (Scott Cochran) makes nearly 600K a year lol
– JSU’s entire athletic budget is
8millionI hope he takes that Colorado gig and implement his winning formula
— Chris. (@chefmade_92) December 4, 2022
8.
Everybody mad at Deion Sanders. He’s helped JSU, set attendance records, new practice fields, new locker rooms, Under Armor endorsements deal. Countless other things. You leave places better than you found it. He did that. He’s done a lot for HBCU Football in 3 years.
— Coach J. Foster (@CoachFrost12) December 4, 2022
9.
If Deion sanders and other prominent African-American #SWAC Coaches have to leave for more money, better facilities, more resources, The SWAC COMMISSIONER SHOULD BE FIRED. Because he, or she did not secure a lucrative television contract to put these resources in the schools
— Luther Luke Campbell (@unclelukereal1) December 4, 2022
10.
The “sell out” Deion Sanders elevating fellow black coaches. Seems like he’s still doing the good work to me. https://t.co/3dFu512JOB
— Bryce Hayes (@nxtprodigy) December 4, 2022
11.
Deion Sanders sure is getting a lot of hate from black ppl who aint donated a dime or their time for any HBCU & their programs… the call is coming from inside the house.
— Lurker Vandross (@_AuntieLee) December 4, 2022
12.
A lot of anti-HBCU commentary about Deion Sanders’ move—from folks who still don’t know that his undergraduate degree is from an HBCU.
So you talking all that shit, yet he knew where to get the paper that matters, after the football fame and money, in 2020.
— Booker G. Washington (@TendentiousG) December 5, 2022
13.
Today during my @BlkStarNetwork pregame show, the @JacksonStateU alumni president said 13% of their grads give back to the university. That means 87% don’t send back a penny. Don’t get mad at @DeionSanders for leaving.
Talk to the 87% who rock the gear but don’t give back!!!— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) December 4, 2022
14.
I see a lot of hate 4 @DeionSanders. When all he did was brin light 2 HBCU. And gave a blueprint on how we market the HBCU program. He’s the 1st Black Coach 2 get a P5 coming from a HBCU. Let’s stop all the hate and congratulate this man. We have to stop! The job is not done!!!
— ANTONIO CROMARTIE (@CRO31) December 4, 2022
15.
We all knew Deion Sanders wasn’t there for Jackson State, or for the HBCU. He was there for Prime, but somehow I’m surprised. Bummed for those kids.
— Jared. (@Jayleejnr) December 3, 2022
16.
Reactions to #DeionSanders leaving #JacksonState split on a continuum between those centering plantation college football vs those centering Black institutions and youngsters recruited with that community as incentive. Archive yet another study in US whiteness vs everybody.
— Greg Carr (@AfricanaCarr) December 4, 2022
17.
The way y’all are acting. You would’ve thought Deion Sanders killed somebody. It’s disgusting the way y’all are tearing him down. This is the issue with Black people and exactly why we will never be shit. https://t.co/ebvz56h5w0
— VIRGOAT
(@niasymoneee_) December 5, 2022
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