Photo Courtesy of screenshot HBCU
Deion Sanders is laying down the law for Jackson State’s football team players.
The Jackson State Tigers made headlines when it hired Sanders as its head coach in September 2020. Under his coaching, the Tigers won their first SWAC East Division title in eight years. In 2021, SWAC named Sanders, its Coach of the Year.
So what’s Sanders’ secret to turning around this team in such a short amount of time? The presentation seems to be key.
While the Tigers gathered in their renovated locker room, Sanders set the expectations for his team.
“I want you to listen to me clearly and succinctly,” he started.
“No slides. No armpits exposed. No wife-beaters. Sit in the front of the classroom and be the perfect gentleman because when it comes down to it, and you need help, that professor is going to recall your character and who you’ve been consistently in that class,” Sanders continued.
Now, make sure you shower before you go to class,” Sanders said. “I don’t want to get a report that you was in some bull-junk in our apparel, representing us. Kids in the back of class making noise, he’s freestyling to the whole class while I was trying to teach it with a Jackson State football shirt on. Not going to happen. When it gets back to me, it’s going to get back to your [position] coaches first, and then it’s going to get back to me. When it gets back to me, it’s going to be a problem.”
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Former Florida State legend Sanders, 55, is a two-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer. He played in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Football Team and Baltimore Ravens. He was also a former MLB outfielder.
The Tigers are set to play Florida A&M on September 4, and Sanders is making sure his team of gentlemen is ready.