When Jackson State coach Dion Sanders and Alabama State coach Eddie Robinson Jr. met in midfield after Saturday’s game, the exchange ended with Robinson being removed from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
It turns out they are just getting started.
Robinson took Sanders’ hand after losing Alabama State 26-12 in a return to Jackson State, but He didn’t want any part of Sanders’ hugInstead, he pushed him with his left hand as he walked away. Surprised, Sanders raised his hands in disbelief before walking away beside his security guards.
Robinson later clarified that Sanders made disrespectful comments in the week before the match. Robinson also claimed that Sanders walked through Alabama State’s offensive warm-ups in one of the end areas, rather than taking a more direct route to the Jackson State side. He added that Jackson State should have hit the knee in the last minute of the game rather than trying to score more points with the reserve full-back.
Robinson said he has always shaken hands with his opponent’s coach, but sees no “need for a cuddle” with Sanders.
“I will always be respectful and respectful of the game,” Robinson said. “You have the best [coaches]W.C. Gorden, Eddie Robinson, these guys, Marino Casem, I live on the shoulders of SWAC.”
Robinson, who is not related to Grambling and Hall of Famer coach Eddie Robinson, then added of Sanders: “He’s not SWAC. I’m SWAC, he’s not SWAC. He’s in the conference, he’s doing a great job, I can’t knock that, he’s got a great team, His son should be ready for the Heisman Cup, I love Shedeur, a great player, I love what he’s doing for the conference….But you won’t come here disrespecting me, my team and my school and then I want a bro hug. Shake my hand and walk away.”
Sanders led Jackson State to 12 consecutive SWAC wins and a league title in 2021, with increased interest in the league and HBCU football. He defended his pre-game routine, saying he always ran around the field before NFL games and arrived late to greet Robinson in midfield before kickoff.
Last week, Sanders said Alabama’s calling of Jackson as its home opponent was a “money game,” due to the large crowds and interest he’s following and his program.
“I also heard him make comments about what I said the week before,” Sanders said after Saturday’s game. “You were such a great seller the week before. Did we sell the game? Did we sell the game, yes or no? Was it sold here before? So I thought I did my job. I thought I should really commend it.”
Sanders disputed Robinson’s comment that it does not reflect SWAC.
“I am not someone who will come back the next day and you will pick up the phone and we will apologize right away,” he said. “No, not at all. I meant that mess. And one of the comments of this kind bothered me out of all the comments, that I’m not SWAC. Who is it? I have the time today. Who is SWAC if I don’t SWAC? Who is SWAC if I’m not SWAC?” “
Sanders added that he needed no additional motivation but noted Robinson’s “daring” to question his intentions as a coach.
Robinson is unlikely to back down. He said he respects Sanders, noting that “everyone wanted to be ‘prime time’ when they were young.” Robinson also praised Sanders’ coaching ability, not his actions.
“I hope he comes back next year, and I pray he doesn’t get a job at Power 5, so we can play them next year at Jackson,” Robinson said. “And I pray to God that they put us for their damned return home.”
“Food ninja. Friendly thinker. Explorer. Entrepreneur. Zombie junkie.