Prime Time and his Complex Legacy

My thoughts on Deion Sanders are much like his own ongoing legacy. They are…complex. With the unexpected success albeit very early in the season for the University of Colorado, there has come quite a bit of attention on the program. And while it’s to be expected, it still has me feeling a certain way.

First I’ll get my criticisms out of the way. I do not like how he left Jackson State. At all. He did not want to go through the conventional methods of becoming a head coach so he chose to go to a school that needed a light shined on it. Where he fucked up in my eyes was proclaiming he was on a mission from God when anyone who has followed Deion for more than 5 minutes will tell you he is out for Deion. But to his credit he rebuilt the program, brought in highly ranked recruits and donations flowed like water and that can not be discounted how much that helped.

Then the first moment he got a chance to step to a school higher on the NCAA totem pole he bounced. That’s fine, won’t begrudge the guy, however watch the game after he made the decision to leave, completely checked out and no longer worrying about the HBCU he made his name on and built his resume on. He owed it to Jackson State I feel, to leave in a manner that the school deserved. 

But the game is the game, and Deion rolled into Colorado and brought with him a plethora of transfers and highly ranked recruits. Much like many a high profile coach before him but this felt different. While there is much to be rightfully be critical of, the disrespect being shown is a touch much for your boy. You have talking heads openly claiming Jackson State is nothing more than a JUCO and of course immediately discounting the legitimacy of talent at HBCUs. 

So for as obnoxious as I find Deion, and to be fair I have always been a huge fan because of his obnoxious talent, just because I don’t like how he handled himself at Jackson St. does not mean I will ever root against him.

Ya know why? Because to root against him is to root against the success of guys like Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, Xavier Weaver and so many more. And for all of the criticisms that can be levied, one thing is for sure he has made Colorado Buffalo football exciting in a way it has not been…well ever. 

Also when it comes to hoping Deion fails...