Emotions flowed after Jackson State’s win over Alabama State on Saturday.
There was an ugly exchange between Hornets coach Eddie Robinson Jr. and Deion Sanders of the Tigers after Jackson State’s 26-12 victory.
Robinson Jr. said after the game felt the Pro Football Hall of Famer had disrespected his team and himself throughout the week, including game day.
“I thought there was a lot of disrespect the whole week and so your not going to be disrespectful all week in the media,” Robinson said. “We didn’t talk in the pregame I was out there the whole time at the 50-yard-line. He walked through our huddle on our end zone, he came the long way around to get to his side during the pregame, thought that wasn’t classy at all.
“Postgame I’m not going to give you the Obama bro hug, I’m going to shake your hand and go on I’m always going to be respectful and respect the game. … I’m living on the shoulders of the SWAC, he ain’t SWAC, I’m SWAC, so he’s in the conference and doing a great job, can’t knock that. … You’re not going to come here and disrespect me and my team and my school and then want to bro hug me, shake my hand and get the hell on.”
“He ain’t SWAC. I’m SWAC.”😳 Alabama State HC Eddie Robinson about Jackson State HC Deion Sanders #bamastate #swac #swarmas1 #theeibelieve pic.twitter.com/sJuZjnSXdB
— The Wild Card (@wildcard2k) October 8, 2022
Sanders didn’t appreciate hearing he wasn’t SWAC, the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
“If I ain’t SWAC, then who is SWAC,” Sanders said three times. “Baby, who is?”
“If I ain’t SWAC who is?” 👀
Jackson State Head Coach Deion Sanders speaks on Alabama State head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. #swarmas1 #bamastate #theswac #homecoming2022 #theeIbelieve#swac pic.twitter.com/0OHYgSFajA— The Wild Card (@wildcard2k) October 8, 2022
Sanders speculated there could be a number of reasons Robinson Jr. was perturbed.
“It could be a plethora of things,” Sanders said. “I think he thought he was going to get a win. I don’t know why he would’ve ever thought that. … Secondly he said that I didn’t come to greet him in the center of the field. I don’t know if you understand but we got here very late. So that expedited our whole process of preparation. So then we were in like, ‘let’s go get it (mode).”
This clip of @DeionSanders talking about playing Bama State for their Homecoming has me IN TEARS! He wants this game to get UGLY! This man called a CONFERENCE game a MONEY game 😂 pic.twitter.com/6oVsj1cY8S
— Jeff Lightsy Jr. (@jlightsy7) October 3, 2022
The Alabama State coach wants a rematch next year.
“I pray he don’t get a Power 5 job and we play them next year in Jackson,” Robinson Jr. said, “and I pray they put us for their homecoming.”