Jackson State head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders is currently prepping his defending SWAC champions for their season opener at FAMU in the Orange Blossom Classic. Still, he made time to talk about the Hall of Fame. Sanders is taking the voting to task, believing it’s too easy for guys to get the sport’s highest honor. Sanders’s comments come on the heels of last weekend’s class, which didn’t stand out amongst others. Sanders believes the distinction should be “game-changers” or “transcendent”, not very good players.
In an interview from his desk at Jackson State University, the most significant corner to ever touch the gridiron elaborated on his stance.
“The Hall of Fame ain’t the Hall of Fame no more. I love it, I respect it, I admire it. I think all the guys who are inducted are definitely deserving, but it needs to be a different color jacket. My jacket’s got to be a different color.”
Sanders was a generational player who changed the game. He was so good, there was once a saying that went, “water covers three-fourths of the world, and Deion Sanders covers the other fourth.”
.@DeionSanders: NFL Hall of Fame is becoming a “FREE FOR ALL”
"The Hall of Fame ain't the Hall of Fame no more."
"A lot of Hall of Famers think the same thing." pic.twitter.com/DIaXcedrBa
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 12, 2022
Sanders Wants Voting Process Revamped
As he expounded on what he meant, Sanders mentioned he wanted to see the process for voting and entry into the shrine of professional football change. He wants a top 22, which he considers the top-tier of the sport ever. That’s 11 players on each side of the football.
“There needs to be a starting 11, there needs to be an upper room. My bust don’t belong with some of these other busts that’s in the Hall of Fame. I’m sorry, I’m just being honest. I’m just saying what you all are thinking and a lot of you Hall of Famers are thinking the same thing. This is becoming a free-for-all now.”
In many ways, Sanders is correct; while good, many of the recent inductees weren’t what you’d consider game-changers or transcendent type players. And at one point in time, that’s all the HOF inducted.
“That’s what the Hall of Fame is, a game-changer. Not I played good, I had a good little run. I gave you three of four good years.”
No. 5: Hall of Fame cornerback @DeionSanders. PRIMETIME ⭐️
“If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good."
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Sanders Isn’t Afraid To Speak Up
Sanders has never been shy about speaking his mind throughout his illustrious career on and off the field. That has been his calling card. He’s used his platform to exact change in HBCU football. And when we talk Pro Football Hall of Fame, we need never forget Black college football.
In fact, of the 350 members forever enshrined in Canton, 34 are from 17 different HBCUs, which is roughly ten percent, and further proves that HBCUs produce top-tier talent.
