Over the weekend, 259 players were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. But only one player from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) was picked with former Jackson State Tigers defensive back Isaiah Bolden was selected by the New England Patriots in the seventh round. And Deion Sanders doesn’t think that’s good enough.
After Bolden was selected on Saturday, Deion Sanders, who coached at Jackson State last year before becoming the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes in December, took to Twitter to congratulate his former player and also to blast the NFL for not taking more players from HBCU teams.
Sanders was furious with the NFL, saying that he was “ashamed” of the other 31 teams that did not take players from HBCU teams.
So proud is you @isaiahbolden23 You deserved to be drafted much higher but I'm truly proud of u. I know how much u want this. I'm ashamed of the 31 other @nfl teams that couldn't find draft value in ALL of the talented HBCU players & we had 3 more draft worthy players at JSU. pic.twitter.com/BfEm3zIGPH
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) April 30, 2023
“So proud [of] you @isaiahbolden23 You deserved to be drafted much higher but I’m truly proud of u. I know how much u want this. I’m ashamed of the 31 other @nfl teams that couldn’t find draft value in ALL of the talented HBCU players & we had 3 more draft worthy players at JSU.”
It’s a bold message from Sanders, but it did not go over well with most football fans as plenty of people pointed out the hypocrisy of Sanders calling out the NFL while leaving an HBCU for more money with a Power Five program.
you just left an HBCU for more money https://t.co/vjt5KmuvZY
— Laz 🏈 👀 (@crumbbutler) April 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/BayAreaData/status/1652750961889394689?s=20
Well, maybe if coaches like you didn't use HBCU as a stepping stone and then take all the good recruits when you abandon them, they'd have more players get drafted. Maybe look in the mirror #SentinelPrime https://t.co/lynXi7ivWt
— Bigg T08 (@bigg_t08) April 30, 2023
Lmao, you literally just months ago left a HBCU school for a P5 job. https://t.co/sotgvZN7ku
— Robe_Mitchell 🌵 (@RobeMitchell2) April 30, 2023
*Tweeted after he bolted from a premier HBCU to a bottom P5 program https://t.co/rO3nEMUe0b
— Ryan #MTN (@MTN_College) April 30, 2023
Bold words from a man who abandoned a HBCU and took the best players with him. https://t.co/jcd7FIeh9v
— Buckeye Legion (@Buckeye_Legion) April 30, 2023
It’s safe to say that Sanders got plenty of heat for his comments.
