(Photo credit: Rashad Milligan for rolling out)
There is no show in football quite like Prime Time. Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders, who now prefers to be called Coach Prime, always keeps him and his program in the news cycle. This week’s episode was accented by a shove from a post-game embrace at midfield from Sanders to Alabama State football coach Eddie Robinson Jr.
Alabama state coach was butthurt that Deion sanders & Jackson state won 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/FFeG7qi0XV
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) October 8, 2022
Robinson explained the shove in his postgame press conference, as posted by Montgomery, Alabama podcast duo “The Wildcard.”
“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
“Me just being upfront, I thought it was a whole bunch of disrespect all week,” Robinson said. “You’re not going to be disrespectful the whole week in the media.”
One week at a time…but I’m ready for homecoming pic.twitter.com/Caig4DcSoD
— The Wild Card (@wildcard2k) September 25, 2022
“I think I was a darn-good salesman leading up to the game this week,” Sanders said. “Did we sell the game out this week, yes or no? Have they ever sold out here? So I thought I did my job. I thought I should be applauded.”
Robinson then brought up how Sanders took the long route, through ASU’s side of the field, before the game and didn’t speak to Robinson once, which he took as disrespect. Sanders said he always runs around the field before every game, dating back to his days in the NFL. Sanders also said the team got to the stadium late, so he wasn’t focused on greeting Robinson before the game.
“So, in the postgame, I’m not about to give you the Obama bro hug,” Robinson said. “I’m going to shake your hand and go on. I’m always going to respect the game.”
“I’m living on the shoulders of the SWAC,” Robinson Jr said. “(Sanders) ain’t SWAC! I’m SWAC, he ain’t SWAC.”
The line was another part of Robinson’s explanation Sanders decided to respond to.
“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
“Who is SWAC, if I ain’t SWAC?” Sanders said. “Who is SWAC? Baby! Who is?”
Robinson Jr went on to compliment how talented Jackson State is, led by sophomore quarterback Shedeur Sanders and even endorsed Shedeur to be a Heisman Trophy finalist, which would make Shedeur the first SWAC finalist since Steve McNair in 1994.
”But you’re not going to come here and disrespect me and my team and my school and then want to bro hug me,” Robinson Jr said. “Shake my hand and then get the hell on.”
The ASU coach then brought up the rumors of Sanders becoming the next coach for Power 5 programs like Georgia Tech and Auburn.
JSU (5-0) beat ASU (3-3) 26-12 where the Tigers pulled away late.
* Editors note: In the original version of this story we incorrectly identified coach Eddie Robinson Jr as the son of the famed late great Grambling coach Eddie Robinson Sr
