‘He ain’t SWAC’: Robinson snubs Deion ‘bro hug’

When Jackson State coach Deion Sanders and Alabama State coach Eddie Robinson Jr. met at midfield after Saturday’s recreation, the change ended with Robinson pushing away the Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer.

Seems, they have been simply getting began.

Robinson took Sanders’ hand following Alabama State’s 26-12 homecoming loss to Jackson State, however wanted no part of an embrace with Sanders, as a substitute shoving him together with his left hand as he walked away. A stunned Sanders raised his fingers in disbelief earlier than strolling away alongside his safety element.

Robinson later defined that Sanders had made disrespectful feedback within the week main as much as the sport. Robinson additionally alleged that Sanders walked by Alabama State’s offensive warm-ups in one of many finish zones, somewhat than taking a extra direct path to Jackson State’s sideline. He added that Jackson State ought to have taken a knee within the ultimate minute of the sport somewhat than attempting to attain extra factors with its backup quarterback.

Robinson mentioned he would all the time shake an opposing coach’s hand, however noticed “no want for an embrace” with Sanders.

“I’ll all the time be respectful and respect the sport,” Robinson mentioned. “You have bought the nice [coaches], W.C. Gorden, Eddie Robinson, these guys, Marino Casem, I am residing on the shoulders of the SWAC.”

Robinson, who is not associated to Grambling coach and Corridor of Famer Eddie Robinson, then added of Sanders: “He ain’t SWAC. I am SWAC, he ain’t SWAC. He is within the convention, doing an incredible job, cannot knock that, bought an incredible staff, his son ought to be up for the Heisman Trophy, I like Shedeur, nice participant, I like what he is doing for the convention. … However you are not going to come back right here and disrespect me and my staff and my faculty after which desire a bro hug. Shake my hand and get the hell off.”

Sanders has led Jackson State to 12 consecutive SWAC wins and a league title in 2021, whereas bringing elevated consideration to the league and HBCU soccer. He defended his pregame routine, saying he all the time ran across the discipline earlier than NFL video games and arrived too late to greet Robinson at midfield earlier than kickoff.

Final week, Sanders mentioned Alabama State inviting Jackson State as its homecoming opponent was a “cash recreation,” due to the massive crowds and a spotlight that comply with him and his program.

“I heard him additionally spew out feedback about what did I say main as much as the week,” Sanders mentioned after Saturday’s recreation. “I used to be a darn good salesman main as much as the week. Did we promote the sport out? Did we promote the sport out, sure or no? Had they ever been offered out right here? So I believed I did my job. I believed I ought to be applauded, actually.”

Sanders took challenge with Robinson’s remark that he did not mirror the SWAC.

“I am not one to come back again the following day and also you going to select up the cellphone and also you going to apologize and we straight,” he mentioned. “No, not in any way. You meant that mess. And one of many feedback that form of disturbed me out of all of the feedback, that I am not SWAC. Who’s? I bought time in the present day. Who’s SWAC if I ain’t SWAC? Who’s SWAC if I ain’t SWAC?”

Sanders added that he does not want additional motivation however famous the “audacity” of Robinson to query his intentions as a coach.

Robinson is not more likely to again down. He mentioned he respects Sanders, noting that “Everyone needed to be ‘Prime Time’ once they have been a bit child.” Robinson additionally praised Sanders’ teaching capacity, simply not his actions.

“I hope he comes again subsequent yr, I pray he do not get a Energy 5 job, so we will play them subsequent yr in Jackson,” Robinson mentioned. “And I pray they put us for his or her rattling homecoming.”