Deion Sanders’ first post-game press conference as a collegiate head coach should have been a joyous occasion.
After all, Sanders’ Jackson State squad had just obliterated an inferior foe, the Edward Waters Tigers, 53-0 Sunday afternoon.
The NAIA Tigers had last won a game on Oct. 12, 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was Jackson State’s first game since November 23, 2019, when it was blown out by rival Alcorn State.
They were a ready-made sacrifice for Sanders’ Tigers in their much-anticipated debut under the former Florida State All-American and NFL legend.
Instead, Sanders revealed in his post-game media session that he was robbed during the game inside Jackson Memorial Stadium.
“I’m pissed off right now, because I have mixed emotions,” Sanders said in his press conference. “We won; the kids played really well. But while the game was going on, somebody came in and stole every dern thing I had in my locker room. In the coaches’ office. Credit cards, wallet, watches. Thank God I had on my necklaces.
“How?!”
A sad, bizarre and unfortunate situation. After his first win as Jackson State's head football coach Deion Sanders reveals that his personal items were stolen during the game. pic.twitter.com/S0CyJMN1VW
— Joe Cook (@JoeCookSports) February 21, 2021
Sanders, who has publicly challenged school and community leaders in the time since he took over the JSU program, particularly on his 21st and Prime podcast, used the alleged theft situation to again challenge the status quo.
“When I talk about equality and raising the standards, that goes for everyone, man,” Sanders said. “Not just the people on the field. Not just the coaches. Not just the teachers. Not just the faculty.
“That’s everybody. Security and everybody. So how do you think it feels, coming back, just teary-eyed after the guys had presented me with the game ball; one of the best moments I’ve ever had in my professional sports career, emotional. And then you go into your locker room, your coaches’ office to digress, and you notice you don’t even have a phone to call your mama, to call your girl, to call your kids, because it’s been stolen. You don’t even have the skully hats that you wore here. We’re going to find out who did it.”
Update> It appears Deion’s items have been recovered. Will be quite interesting to hear how this is explained.
Just got word from a Jackson State official that Deion’s personal items have been recovered.
“The items have been found”
The only details we’ve been told.
— Nick Niehaus (@nickniehausWAPT) February 21, 2021
UPDATE: All of Sanders’ belongings have been found after being misplaced, JSU officials tell me.
— Rashad Milligan (@RashadMilligan) February 21, 2021
Coach Prime weighs in:
Naw it was stolen but they got it back. It was stolen out my personal bag in my office and My assistant caught the gentleman in the process of stealing it but she was alone. No Miscommunication my man at all https://t.co/foXTKwqsQC
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) February 22, 2021
Whomever putting out the lie that my belongings wasn’t stolen is LYING. My belongings were taken out of a zipped bag in my office and more items were taken as well from my office. We have retrieved them since being reported. My Staff member witnessed the crime. #Truth
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) February 22, 2021
Uh, coach, that would be your administration.
When we first heard Jackson State was hiring Deion we called JSU’s administration. They directly lied to us saying there was nothing to it.
Tonight, Deion just directly called JSU’s admin liars. https://t.co/JIOe7A23N8 pic.twitter.com/O4OIi3Px5E
— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) February 22, 2021
Jackson State statement:
JSU AD Ashley Robinson issued this statement on Sunday night. Robinson’s statement falls in between the initial Jackson State party line — “misplaced” — and Deion’s bold “stolen” claim, saying the items were “taken.” Robinson does not say whether the items were grabbed by a well-meaning staffer or a malicious ne’er do well, but he then goes on to say JSU will review its security protocols to ensure the episode is not repeated.
Official Statement Regarding Incident pic.twitter.com/pDKQNtd7dd
— Jackson State Athletics (@GoJSUTigers) February 22, 2021