As Mississippi Gov. Reeves issues water emergency, Deion Sanders, Jackson State scramble for basic necessities

With Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves declaring a water emergency within the state’s capital metropolis, Jackson, Deion Sanders on Tuesday morning mentioned he’s left scrambling to seek out satisfactory amenities for the essential wants of his Jackson State College gamers simply days earlier than the Tigers’ season opener.

Flooding from heavy rainfall within the Magnolia State has brought on myriad issues for Jackson, Miss.,-area residents; some projections estimate between 180,000-200,000 Mississippi residents might be with out satisfactory water operations for an undetermined time frame.

Sanders, 5 days earlier than his second full JSU Tigers squad opens its season in opposition to Florida A&M on the Orange Blossom Basic in Miami, says he wants to assist his gamers discover house even to only brush their tooth and have working bogs.

“We’re hit with a bit disaster, town of Jackson; we don’t have water,” Sanders mentioned in a YouTube video. “Water means we don’t have air con, we are able to’t use bogs, we don’t have water subsequently we don’t have ice. Which just about locations the burden on this system, so proper now we’re working in disaster mode.”

The Tigers, defending Southwestern Athletic Convention champions and 7-6 winners in opposition to FAMU on this similar kick-off recreation a yr in the past, are of their ultimate days of preparation earlier than leaving this weekend for the Orange Blossom Basic.

Sanders burdened his concern about his gamers prolonged effectively past any practice-field inconveniences and centered on their basic well-being.

“I’ve acquired to get these children off campus, those that stay on campus, those that stay within the metropolis of Jackson, right into a lodge and accommodate them in order that they will bathe correctly and handle their wants,” Sanders mentioned. “Make sure that all our youngsters are fed and all our youngsters have the requirements of life for the subsequent a number of days till this disaster resides (sic). That’s what we’re working proper now.

“So we’re going to seek out someplace to observe, discover someplace that may accommodate each dern factor that we want and need to be who we need to be, and that’s dominant. The satan is a lie. You ain’t going to get us at the moment.”

As of noon Tuesday, the JSU program seemed to be the one SWAC program affected by the flooding and subsequent water system issues that stemmed from the swelling Mississippi River. Alcorn State, 70 miles southwest of JSU, was working as scheduled; it was indicated Mississippi Valley State likewise had not endured any issues, amongst different applications.

Nonetheless, the Tigers confirmed resolve because the video panned to their locker room.

“It’s sizzling in right here, bro, however that’s Jackson,” one participant mentioned at his locker. “That’s simply Jackson.”

Added one other JSU staffer, “We’re going to make it occur, we’re making an attempt to make a method for these children to have the ability to bathe, to have the ability to brush their tooth and stuff as a result of the water just isn’t going proper now. Minor setback for a serious comeback.”