Deion Sanders shocked the college football world earlier this month when he agreed to accept a head coaching job with the University of Colorado.
While some understood Sanders’ decision and celebrated his ability to move up the coaching ranks in college football, many were critical of him leaving Jackson State. Charles Barkley came to Sanders’ defense this week and destroyed those criticizing the Pro Football Hall-of-Famer for taking a better coaching opportunity with the Colorado Buffaloes.
“Deion, hey man, good luck at Colorado,” Barkley said during the latest episode of The Steam Room podcast. “I have seen some of the criticism from people calling you a sellout for leaving, calling you an Uncle Tom and things like that. Hey man, you left Jackson State in a better place than you found it. You had no obligation to stay there forever. And to your critics – shut the f**k up. SHUT THE F**K UP!”
Head coaches going to a college football program, building it up for a few years, and then moving on for another opportunity is unfortunately the nature of the sport. Some fans and sports analysts viewed Sanders’ situation differently, however, because Jackson State is an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) institution.
When Sanders joined the Jackson State Tigers, he claimed he was sent by god to fix HBCUs. Despite claiming to be doing god’s work, Sanders left Jackson State for more money and a better coaching opportunity when it was presented to him.
Barkley supported Sanders’ decision and strongly pushed back on his critics. But Barkley also recognizes what losing Sanders means for Jackson State and the Basketball Hall-of-Famer responded by pledging a $1 million donation to the HBCU.
