Shannon Sharpe Backs Deion Sanders’ Decision To Leave HBCU For PWI
Former NFL player Deion Sanders amid his decision to leave Jackson State University after two years for a coaching job at the University of Colorado.
Many were hopeful that Sanders, who became the football coach of JSU in 2020 and is an advocate for HBCUs, would change the trajectory of the school’s football program, which it did.
He brought more awareness of the importance of HBCUs to upcoming athletic talent during his time at the historic institution. Athletes often overlook HBCUs out of fear that it will hold them back from playing in the NFL.
After many people attacked him and called him a sellout, Shannon Sharpe, who graduated from Savannah State University, hopped on Twitter to defend “Coach Prime.” After leading JSU to two SWAC championships, Sanders accepted the coaching position at the PWI while advocating for HBCUs.
The Undisputed co-host continued to respond to other critics on social media who compared Sanders leaving an HBCU to Black people who leave the hood and are deemed successful. “So Black institutions and things are a downgrade?” one user asked Sharpe, who then responded by sharing the true reason he went to SSU. ”
“I went to an HBCU because I was a part of Prop 48.” It worked out great for me. If I had gotten better grades in high school. “I wouldn’t have chosen an HBCU,” he tweeted.
In 1986, the NCAA implemented Prop 48, which required high school athletes to earn a specific score on standardized college-entrance exams before they could compete in sports during their freshman year. If the rule had been in place during the 1982 season, only 51% of Black male athletes would have been eligible to play, as history and NCAA statistics show.
Explaining why staying at SSU for undergrad was one of the greatest decisions he made after contemplating leaving to go to the University of Miami, Sharpe shared his views on Fox College Football in 2020. At the time, he believed he would receive more exposure at the PWI.
His coach told him that if he’s good enough, they’ll find him anywhere, according to HBCU Gameday. After being selected in the 1990 NFL Draft, Sharpe went on to play for the Denver Broncos. In 2010, he was inducted into the SSU Hall of Fame after playing 14 seasons. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
