Analysis: Deion Sanders for President? Coach 'Prime Time' might help heal divided nation
The Deion Sanders coached Colorado Buffaloes went on the road and stunned 17th ranked TCU 45-42 last Saturday. That's a TCU team that was the runner-up for the national championship last year.
If you don’t believe this shocking victory to be the feel-good sports story of the week, then you simply have not been paying attention.
Before the arrival of Sanders, Colorado was 1 – 11 last season and only had two winning seasons since 2005. From top to bottom, the team was not only in complete disarray but getting worse. Sanders came in and flipped the program upside down. He angered a number of people in the process as he not only cleaned house, but brought in tons of new players.
What is really amazing is that Sanders had not only just stepped up from HBCU Jackson State but beat TCU with HBCU talent. A highly deserved validation for those exceptionally talented players.
Two of those players put on a clinic in the win over TCU. The first being two-way starter Travis Hunter, the former top recruit who came over from Jackson State and had 11 catches for 119 yards, as well as a crucial interception. The other being Shedeur Sanders – the son of Coach Sanders -- who threw for a school-record 510 yards and four touchdowns.
While it’s only the first game, don’t be surprised if Hunter and Sanders are fighting it out for the Heisman Trophy at the end of the season.
To be sure, the only ones not shocked by this massive upset are Sanders and the players who completely bought into his vision for the team.
But then, none of that should be a surprise.
In just his second year as the coach of the Jackson State Tigers, Sanders led the program to not only an 11-win season but the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title.
Deion establishing pattern of rebuilding losing programs
There seems to be a pattern here building with Sanders. He revitalized a losing program at Jackson State after just his second year on campus. By doing so, not only did he instill pride in that program and its players but brought much needed attention to HBCU programs across the nation.
Next, he accepts the head coaching position for the almost laughing-stock Colorado Buffaloes; studies every single aspect of the program; dissects the problems; cleans house; brings in new players; and, most importantly, leads by example.
For me, as one who had the honor to work in the White House for two Presidents while also assisting on three winning presidential campaigns, it started me thinking: “Gee, if Deion can do that for those programs, what could he do for our divided and struggling nation?”
Now, while I may be asking that question tongue in cheek, it is barely there. The fact is, I have long admired Sanders for the man he became.
I grew up in abject poverty and was often homeless. By the time I was 17, I had been evicted from 34 homes.
A number of those moves had me living in predominantly Black housing projects and often being the only white child in my class. For me, those experiences may have been the highest blessing of my life. For, as that child, I learned that Black America was a great America and that we were all in it together.
To this day, my enduring heroes and role models remain the single Black moms I witnessed working two or three jobs to provide for their children while often sacrificing their own happiness.
Because of that background, certain athletes with swagger spoke to me louder than others. Especially those who overcame tough times.
I have followed Sanders since his days at Florida State.
While I don’t pretend to understand everything about sports, I had just enough athletic ability back in the day to get invited to a few professional hockey camps and one MLB camp.
Having an interest in more than one sport also put Sanders firmly on my radar screen. To say that he was an exceptional athlete who excelled on the football field and baseball diamond would be an understatement.
He did, after all, become “Prime Time.”
But, in the process, he lost – as he admits -- a bit of himself, getting caught up in the hype, the ego, the money and the temptations.
Maturity, empathy, and self-awareness were still to be discovered by Sanders on his journey of almost unrivaled success and fame. But discover them he did.
Sanders not only evolved into a man of deep faith, but one who learned from past mistakes. More than that, it was precisely that life experience that enabled him to pass along his lessons to others. Be they adults going through tough times, or the student-athletes he coaches.
My own journey has taught me that real-life experience is often everything. Most especially, if those showcasing it overcame their own weaknesses or excesses to become better people willing to help others.
In my opinion, Deion Sanders has become that person and more. If he ever chooses to get into politics, I’ll be the first one to sign up for his campaign.
Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official and author of the book: The 56 – Liberty Lessons from those who risked all to sign The Declaration of Independence.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Deion Sanders for President after Colorado's shocking win against TCU
