slapshots1515 t1_iz2l1yl wrote on December 6, 2022 at 12:18 AM

Reply to comment by donkeylipsh in Hall of Famer Deion Sanders leaves Jackson State to take charge of Colorado by shellystarzz

So it’s a pure coincidence that Hunter, the first recruit of his caliber to go to an HBCU pretty much ever, just happened to decide to do so right after NIL money became a thing with a coach who is basically one of the most marketable people on the planet purely out of the goodness of his heart to strive for HBCU’s everywhere.

You can believe it because he said a few nice things about Doug Williams and Jerry Rice, but a) if his big goal was to be HBCU Jesus, he wouldn’t have taken about ten seconds after Deion left to announce his transfer like he just did, and b) that would have been a financial disaster the likes we haven’t seen since people were giving Bernie Madoff money.

I get it man: you really seem to want these kids to be these altruistic crusaders. They’re not, and it’s ok that they’re not. I’m not even saying Deion didn’t sell it that way, and I’m not saying the kids don’t believe it some. But when the chips are down, NFL and NIL is what matters to them.

donkeylipsh t1_iz56x6y wrote on December 6, 2022 at 3:53 PM

Your entire argument rest on the belief that Deion fucking Sanders is the only person on earth who can get these kids NIL or to the NFL. And that is absolute bullshit.

If Deion Sanders was so good, he wouldn't have to have gone to an HBCU. If Deion Sanders was so good, he wouldn't have to go to 1-11 Colorado.

These kids had offers to other schools and coaches who are FAR better at securing NFL roster spots and NIL money.

And every one of those players who had those opportunities passed them up to join Deions crusade.

There is no coincidence that some dude sold young kids that building HBCU's is a calling from god, a mission for black men to stand in solidarity and lead their race during the peak of racial unrest in America.

slapshots1515 t1_iz59bzr wrote on December 6, 2022 at 4:09 PM

It absolutely does not, if you actually read instead of wish.

There’s about one kid your comment really applies to, Travis Hunter. Travis Hunter who, as a DB, gets to be the premier protege of a guy considered among the best DBs of all time. Travis Hunter, who as a result of this got a ton of publicity and now gets to play at a Power 5 school anyways. Travis Hunter who, for all of his talk about Jerry Rice and Walter Payton, immediately jumped ship as soon as Deion left.

If all these kids cared so damn much about reinventing HBCUs and being a leader for their race they would be staying at Jackson State. Instead, they are all leaving with Deion. It was always about Deion.

I’m sorry you bought into the narrative so hard, but that’s what it was: a narrative, a sell job, a recruiting tool. Sure, I don’t believe either Deion or these kids want to hurt HBCUs, but if it really was about what you say it was, they wouldn’t be leaving.

Making people into something they aren’t is a dangerous thing. Again, I tell you that these kids weren’t going to be the saviors of HBCUs, but that’s ok. Honestly, what they’ve already done for HBCUs is at least a step in the right direction, and now others need to step up and move it forward.

But, you are trying to make a bunch of 18-21 year old kids into holy warriors that they just aren’t. And if you do that, you’ll often find reality is disappointing. All of this-Deion jumping ship for a P5 and taking all the good kids with him-was utterly inevitable and completely predictable to anyone not drinking kool-aid.