The Real Issue Most People Have With Deion Sanders & Why I Don’t Fault Him For Leaving Jackson State

Let’s get one thing straight…

Deion Sanders isn’t the great black hope for all HBCUs.

But it seems that many people felt that way.

Recently, the NFL Hall of Famer left Jackson State University, where he coached for three seasons, and took the head coaching job at the University of Colorado.

As soon as news broke, fans, reporters, and haters took to social media to voice their thoughts and opinions.

Most of those opinions and feelings fell somewhere along the lines of “Betrayal”, “Disloyalty” or “Disgust.”

But we can’t overlook what Deion did for that community as a whole.

The impact he made went far beyond JSU in his three years there.

He boosted the local economy and awareness of Jackson’s colleges and high schools.

He shed a light on?Jackson’s water crisis , which forced a shutdown of schools, colleges, and businesses.

He even donated half of his salary back to the university.

On the field, it was more of the same.

He took over a program that had a 4–8 record the year prior and quickly turned things around.

The team then put together a 27–5 record after his arrival.

They secured the commitment of the #1 high school recruit in 2022 (Travis Hunter) after he initially committed to Florida State.

And last but not least, College GameDay went to Jackson State University this year for the first time since 2008.

Despite all that he has done for the city and university — it still doesn’t seem like it’s enough.

At least to the critics.

People straight up feel that Deion Sanders sold out because of some of the things he initially said coming in as the head coach.

For years, he “sold the dream of rejuvenating HBCUs” and bringing them back to prominence.

He preached that God sent him to JSU to fulfill a greater purpose.

He sought to uphold a certain standard and demanded excellence.

And to his credit, he’s done most, if not all, of what he said he would do even though now people question his intentions.

It seems like people just wanted him to stay there for as long as?they?wanted him to stay there.

The bottom line is that we cannot hold people by the throat for them doing what they think is best for their lives, families, and careers.

It’s the same thing we do to athletes when they leave a team for what they believe is a better situation.

Whether Deion did what he did at JSU for himself or for the university, he still did it and JSU will continue to benefit from the years that he was there.

Intentions are irrelevant when everybody wins, right?

As of December 4, 2022, there are only “12?black head coaches at NCAA FBS programs, representing just 9.16% of the head coaches at the 131 member institutions.”

That’s pretty wild to think about considering a wide majority of the athletes at these schools are black.

With Deion going to Colorado, he is opening up lanes and doors for more black coaches to walk through.

His success and standards on and off the field not only reflect on the players and university he coaches — it reflects on other black coaches who will come behind him.

We shouldn't be reprimanding and criticizing Deion Sanders for this move.

We should be saluting and applauding him for impacting change, making a difference, and following through with his word throughout those 3 seasons at JSU.

Moreover, we should be supporting and celebrating upward mobility for anyone who’s black because it’s incredibly difficult to succeed in any capacity as a person of color in this country.

Ese Ighedosa , a long-term sports & entertainment legal executive, had one of the best explanations of this situation that I’ve seen thus far:

“As a former HBCU athlete, I know this won't be the first or last time a coach uses an HBCU as a stepping stone to go to a mediocre at best PWI. The only difference here is JSU and HBCUs benefitted more than they usually do as stepping stones… For the record, HBCU culture has been lit! HBCU athletics has long been a safe place for young black athletes to play the sport they love at a high level while earning an illustrious education. Deion didn't make HBCUs relevant. Deion made mainstream media and pop culture comfortable embracing the part of black culture that isn't rooted in violence and exploitation… Deion doesn't owe HBCUs anything and HBCUs don't owe Deion.”

The truth is HBCUs aren’t going anywhere.

In fact, I think JSU will continue to expand on its recent success and other HBCUs will benefit as well.

Deion’s tenure there might have been shorter than what people expected.

But his influence and impression are there to stay.

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