Jackson notes Deion Sanders sweeps SWAC media a day after it is blown up with reporters

Deion Sanders was shocked at SWAC Media Day in Birmingham because the reporter called him by his first name.

Pro Football Hall of Famer and sophomore Jackson State coach objected on Tuesday when author of The Clarion-Ledger, based in Jackson and Mississippi’s largest newspaper, called him Deion. Sanders argued that reporters would never call Alabama coach Nick Saban, a six-time national champion, by his first name (and they would like to) and that he wanted to be treated like Saban.

Sanders then left the room when he was called a second timeaccording to the newspaper.

About Clarion-Ledger:

You’re not calling Nick Saban, Nick. Don’t call me Deion, Sanders told Nick Suss about Clarion-Ledger.

If you call Nick (Saban), Nick, you’ll be blackmailed on the spot, so don’t do it to me, Sanders added later. Treat me like Nick.

Sanders, who went 4-3 in his first year as a school coach, walked out when he was called by his first name a second time.

Suss is the newspaper Ole Miss wins journalist – SEC Media Days will also be held in nearby Hoover this week, and rebel coach Lane Kiffin only met with reporters late Tuesday afternoon – but has dealt with Sanders and Jackson State earlier. newspaper.

When I interview people, I call them by their first name, Suss said in the report. Is it someone I’ve been working with for years, or someone I’m talking to for the first time. This is true for Ole Miss battle coaches and players, Mississippi State and Southern Miss coaches and players as I help cover their teams and last January even in Sanders.

This is not the first time one of Sanders ’press conferences in Jackson State has led to controversy. He claimed personal belongings were stolen from his locker after the opening of the JSU season last spring, and then doubled after the school reported that they were not stolen, and that was a misunderstanding when the items were moved to safe storage.

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James Kratch can be reached at [email protected].