MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Deion Sanders of the NLF 100 All-Time Team is honored on the field prior to Super Bowl LIV between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
There’s one prominent figure who likes—though he’s not sure if he loves—the NFL’s new rule that each of its 32 teams must hire an offensive assistant coach who is either a female or a minority: Deion Sanders.
“I like it. I don’t know if I love it, but I like it. Because I don’t like anyone forcing anyone’s hand, but for opportunity I guess sometimes we have to,” the Hall of Famer and current Jackson State coach said on Instagram of the new rule.
Sanders has gone on the record in the past saying he wants the NFL to create three new expansion teams and mandate black ownership for the teams.
He added that he’d like to see the rule implemented in college football as well.
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“College football should mirror pros in all facets. Rules, the thought processes of the game, and hiring as well,” Sanders said. “Just imagine if all of college football were mandated to hire a female or a member of an ethnic or racial minority as an offensive assistant coach … that would be awesome. I would love to see this implemented in college football. I don’t like nothing forced, but I’ll take it.”
As a man of his word, he’s doing his part:
“The reason this is fascinating is because we have our head equipment person is a female African American,” Sanders said. “Our head trainer is a female Caucasian, and with the minority practices we’ve already practiced that because the minorities would be Caucasians in this realm of HBCUs and our offensive coordinator, tight ends coach, offensive line coach, three (graduate assistants), we’re already practicing equality.”
He wrote on the post:
“I truly dislike forcing someone’s hand to do what’s right but in this situation, it is what it is. We should never desire what we’re not willing to give & the search for equality must be displayed at all times on & off the fields of life. I pray for Consistent change daily, and soon WE’RE gonna own teams and we must be willing to display what we desire.”
Sanders recently lost several toes and almost had to have his leg amputated.
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