Whether you like or dislike Deion Sanders, it is undeniable that his mere presence has altered the landscape of HBCU sports. From HBCU sports recognition to proper player representation, he has done some incredible things not only for Jackson State University but also for the entire Southwestern Athletic Conference. Exposure and expansion are the two most important factors for a sports conference to succeed and achieve great things.
Deion wants more teams to be featured on the national stage, and the world has taken notice. Several SWAC football games were broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2 during the spring 2021 season. For some, that may seem insignificant, but for many, it was their first time ever watching a SWAC game. The amazing thing about it all is that some incredible football was being played by the SWAC conference, and they were fortunate enough to be the only football games on TV at the time.
Deion Sanders used the spring season as a springboard to improve his team and the SWAC conference. Deion's players received new helmets and jerseys with their names on them for the Orange Blossom Classic versus Florida A&M. This is not a problem for D1 powerhouses because they have the resources and money to make anything happen for their players. For years, HBCU schools, particularly those in the SWAC, have struggled to provide adequate funding for their respected athletic programs.
Deion made a convincing case for every SWAC team to be able to put their players' names on jerseys. He proposed that he pay the cost for other SWAC schools so that they, too, could make the adjustment if necessary. Following that statement, action is being taken to place nameplates on player jerseys. It's no secret that Deion Sanders has been a beacon of hope and simply amazing for the SWAC conference. He's doing it the Prime Way, just like he did in his playing career.
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