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How Deion Sanders Is Fueling the Rise of HBCU Football

It hasn’t even been two years since the Hall of Fame cornerback uprooted his life to revive a moribund small-school program. But after a record-setting first full season at Jackson State, followed by the unprecedented arrival of a five-star recruit (and a public quarrel with Nick Saban), he’s ushering in a new era for JSU football—and for all HBCU programs.

A rolled up piece of paper the size of a marble sits on the floor, and Deion Sanders just can’t stop staring at it.

Five seconds. Ten seconds.

Sanders has stopped answering questions. He’s at a local eatery in the trendy Deep Ellum section of Dallas, and he’s ignoring his grilled chicken sandwich and fries.