(PresidentialHill.com)- Some might expect that Deion Sanders, known for his flare and flair as a player, would embrace a similar tolerance for flamboyance in his players as a head coach.
They would be mistaken, though.
Before the start of the semester at Jackson State University, Sanders gave a speech to his team in which he made it clear that he had high expectations for his young players.
Sanders instructed his crew that he wanted them to listen to him clearly and concisely. No slides (sandals). No bare underarms. No wife-beaters (tank-top shirts).
Sanders said that when it comes down to it, and you need help from a professor, that professor will remember your character and who has consistently been in that class, so sit in the front of the room and act like the perfect gentleman.
“No armpits, slides, sleeveless shirts, none of that!” he said.
The NFL Hall of Famer, though, wasn’t finished yet. He then let his players know what else he expected from them to represent correctly.
Sanders told his players to make sure they showered before they went to class. He didn’t want to hear that they were in bull-junk while representing in the team’s clothing.
“Kids in the back of class making noise, he’s free-styling to the whole class while I was trying to teach it with a Jackson State football shirt on. Not going to happen. When it gets back to me, it’s going to get back to your (position) coaches first, and then it’s going to get back to me. When it gets back to me, it’s going to be a problem.”
Some people might be shocked that youngsters need to be reminded to take a shower, but it is unfortunately true. Yes, there are instances when late nights and early mornings preclude college students from taking a shower before class. However, the stink of Budweiser and the stench of a 300-pounder who performed 47 up-downs in 98-degree weather are vastly dissimilar.
These aren’t the same things at all.
Sanders tries to instill a culture of respect in his children by holding them to a high level.
Well done, sir.
