Deion Sanders just wanted a hug.
The Jackson State coach approached Alabama State coach Eddie Robinson Jr. for the customary postgame handshake on Saturday after Sanders’ Tigers won 26-12. Robinson accepted the handshake, but he wasn’t in the mood for a bro hug.
As Sanders went in, Robinson put his hand on Sanders’ star’s chest to push him away. After the game, Robinson questioned Sanders’ credentials as a representative for the SWAC — the Southwestern Athletic Conference, made up of historically Black colleges and universities.
“He ain’t SWAC. I’m SWAC, he ain’t SWAC,” said Robinson, who played in the NFL from 1992-2002 with the Oilers, Jaguars, Titans and Bills. “He’s in the conference, doing a great job. Can’t knock that, got a great team, his son should be up for the Heisman Trophy, I love Shedeur, great player, I love what he’s doing for the conference. … But you’re not going to come here and disrespect me and my team and my school and then want a bro hug. Shake my hand and get the hell off.”
The win was Jackson State’s 12th straight triumph against SWAC opponents after winning the league title last year. Sanders is 20-5 as head coach at Jackson State. The Tigers are 5-0 this season.
“One of the comments that kind of disturbed me out of all the comments, that I’m not SWAC,” Sanders said. “Who is? I got time today. Who is SWAC if I ain’t SWAC? Who is SWAC if I ain’t SWAC?”
Due to his success at the Division I FCS program, Sanders is reportedly a candidate for multiple Power 5 jobs, including Georgia Tech and Auburn.
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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