Deion Sanders gets emotional at Jackson State final: ‘We start together, we finish together’
The spotlight Saturday is The Celebration Bowl, which matches teams from historic black colleges.
The game marked Hall of Famer Deion Sanders’ final game as head coach of Jackson State University.
“Not tomorrow, now. Not the next day, now. … We started together, let’s finish together,” a tearful Sanders, also known as “Coach Prime,” said tearfully, addressing his players in the locker room.
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Head coach Deion Sanders of the Jackson State team speaks with members of the press at the Jackson State University team press conference during Cricket Media Day at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 16, 2022 in Atlanta.
(Barras Griffin/Getty Images)
The NFL legend took over as head coach at Jackson State and immediately put the university on the map, drawing national attention and even visits from ESPN’s College GameDay.
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“When I say ‘now,’ all you have to say is ‘give me my signature music,'” Sanders commanded the team to shut down.
Sanders said, “Now.”
The players in the locker room shouted “Give me my signature music” as Sanders got off a bench and put on his signature sunglasses.
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Jackson State Tigers walks around the field during pre-game warmups before the Cricket Celebration Bowl against the North Carolina Central Eagles at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 17, 2022, in Atlanta.
(Barras Griffin/Getty Images)
After the conclusion of the regular season, Sanders decided to accept the head coaching position at the University of Colorado. Sanders faced backlash over his decision to end his career at Jackson State.
The day before the ceremony began, Sanders tried to set things right about taking a different job.
He said, “I never said they’d put up a headstone with my name in Jackson State. So I’m not going to die here. You all know that.”
But some familiar faces will be joining Sanders in Boulder. His son, Shadyor Sanders, will transfer to Colorado and become the starting quarterback for the team. Travis Hunter, a high-ranking recruit at Jackson State, is expected to join Sanders in Colorado.
Head coach Deion Sanders and TC Taylor, the next head coach of the Jackson State Tigers, work on the sidelines against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the first half of the Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 17, 2022, in Atlanta.
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
It’s hard to underestimate the impact the two-time Super Bowl winner has on the HBCU program. Even NFL commissioner Roger Goodell cares about what Sanders has brought to campus. Goodell attended the Celebration Bowl to watch and support his nephew, Charlton Goodell, a defensive lineman who plays for Sanders.
Cameras captured Commish, the Tigers, and a defensive lineman talking and hugging on the sidelines.
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Even though Sanders left, he certainly couldn’t resist one last chance to motivate his team before the big game.
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