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Since Deion Sanders was hired as the head coach of the University of Colorado, there has been a lot of buzz. While most of it revolves around the positive impact that he has had on the program with his changes, there is one aspect of his team meetings that has some upset.
Sanders is a very religious person. He was seen praying on the field when he played and while he was the head coach of Jackson State, he was seen praying with his players on several occasions. That gesture, which is obviously done with good intentions, has now caused him to receive a letter from the "Freedom from Religion Foundation".
The foundation, which has two chapters in Colorado, noted two different occasions to which they were aware that Deion Sanders prayed with student athletes before team meetings.
"It is our understanding that on December 20, 2022, a staff member led other staff members in a Christian prayer to start an official meeting. More egregiously, on January 16, 2023, Coach Sanders directed a staff member to lead players and coaches in Christian prayer before a team meeting.”
The University of Colorado's Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance said that they met with Sanders after the letter was received and discussed the policies with him. It includes when and where coaches are permitted to pray and express their religion with student athletes.
Deion Sanders' controversial comments about parenting has him in hot water
His expression of religion isn't the only thing that has Deion Sanders in hot water as of late. In a recent interview with Rich Eisen, the newly hired Colorado head coach said that he is looking for different types of athletes depending on the position.
"Smart, tough, fast, disciplined with character. Now, quarterbacks are different. We want mother, father. Dual parent. We want that kid to be 3.5 GPA and up because he has to be smart. No bad decisions off the field, at all because he has to be a leader of men.
"Defensive linemen is totally opposite. Single mama, trying to get it, he’s on free lunch. I “I’m talking about just trying to make it. He’s trying to rescue mama. Like mama barely made the flight and I want him to just go get it.”
He went as far as to say that for a quarterback, he is looking for a family that has a two-parent household. Whereas for a defensive player, he is looking for a player who was raised by a single mother and looking for help to get out of a desperate situation.
Deion Sanders' comments were not well received as it appeared that he was stereotyping potential recruits depending on their home life. Whether that will affect his ability to recruit at Colorado in the future remains to be seen.
