‘He’s not a SWAC’ – Eddie Robinson Jr. of the disrespected State of Alabama protested Deion Sanders’ post-game embrace
When Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders and State of Alabama Coach Eddie Robinson Jr met in the midfield area after Saturday’s game, the exchange ending with Robinson shoving the Pro Football Hall of Famer off the field.
Turns out, they were just getting started.
Robinson holds Sanders’ hand after State of Alabama 26-12 defeats to Jackson State, but don’t want to hug Sanders, instead pushing him with his left hand as he walks away. Sanders raised his hand in disbelief before walking away with his security details.
Robinson later explained that Sanders made disrespectful comments the week before the game. Robinson also alleges that Sanders went through the State of Alabama’s offensive warm-ups in one of the end regions, rather than taking a more direct route to the Jackson State line. He added that Jackson State should have gotten on his knees in the final minute of the game rather than trying to score more points with his backup quarterback.
Robinson said he would always shake the opposition coach’s hand, but suggested there was “no need to hug” Sanders.
“I will always respect and respect the game,” Robinson said. “You’ve got great things [coaches]WC Gordon, Eddie Robinson, those people, Marino Casem, I’m living on the shoulders of SWAC. “
Robinson, who is not related to Hall of Famer Grambling and Eddie Robinson, later added of Sanders: “He’s not SWAC. I’m SWAC, he’s not SWAC. He’s in conference, does a great job, can’t beat that, has a great team, his son should be in the Heisman Trophy, I love Shedeur, great player, I love what he is doing for conference. …But you’re not going to come here and disrespect me and my team and my school and then want a brother’s hug. Shake my hand and walk away.”
Sanders led Jackson State to 12 consecutive SWAC wins and a league championship in 2021, while bringing increased attention to HBCU league and football. He defended his pregnancy routine, saying he always ran around the field before NFL games and arrived too late to greet Robinson in the midfield area before kick-off.
Last week, Sanders said Alabama State inviting Jackson State as a return home competitor was a “game of money,” because there were so many crowds and attention watching him and his show.
“I heard he also made comments about what I said last week,” Sanders said after Saturday’s game. “I’m a good salesperson leading the week. Have we sold out of games? Have we sold out of games, yes or no? Have they ever sold out here? So I thought I’d go. did my job. I think I should be applauded, really.”
Sanders took issue with Robinson’s comment that he did not reflect SWAC.
“I won’t come back the next day and you’ll pick up the phone and you’ll apologize and we’ll be frank,” he said. “No, not anything. You mean that mess. And one of those comments made me wonder out of all the comments, that I’m not a SWAC. Who? Now I have time. Who is SWAC if I am not SWAC? Who is SWAC if I am not SWAC?”
Sanders added that he doesn’t need extra motivation but noted Robinson’s “boldness” in questioning his intentions as a coach.
Robinson is incapable of backing down. He said he respects Sanders, noting that “Everybody wants to be ‘Prime Time’ when they’re a kid.” Robinson also praised Sanders’ coaching abilities, just his actions.
“I hope he comes back next year, I pray he doesn’t get the Power 5 jobs, so we can play them next year at Jackson,” Robinson said. “And I pray they book us for their damn homecoming.”
