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A Word: HBCU Football Blues

Slate News

Slate Podcasts

News, News Commentary, Politics

4.56K Ratings

🗓️ 18 December 2022

⏱️ 21 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Former NFL star Deion Sanders turned the struggling Jackson State University Tigers into a winning team, and brought a national spotlight to football at historically Black colleges and universities. That’s why his decision to take a coaching job at the University of Colorado sparked a debate among HBCU fans. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by University of Houston Professor Billy Hawkins about why Sanders’ time at JSU had such an impact, and whether HBCUs can retain some of the momentum that Sanders helped to build. Guest: University of Houston Professor Billy Hawkins, author of The New Plantation: Black Athletes, College Sports, and Predominantly White NCAA Institutions.  Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

This is the word, a podcast from Slate.

0:06.0

I'm your host, Jason Johnson.

0:07.5

Football legend, Deon Sanders, shook the college football world by announcing that he's

0:12.3

leaving historically black Jackson State University to coach at the University of Colorado.

0:17.5

It centers a smart operator or a sellout.

0:20.3

And what does the move mean for black college athletics?

0:22.7

I can't deny you know this idea that he's human, right?

0:27.6

And you know there's a better offer.

0:29.4

But yes, to take that under consideration.

0:31.8

Deon Sanders and the future of black college athletics coming up on a word with me, Jason

0:36.5

Johnson.

0:37.5

Stay with us.

0:41.8

This episode is brought to you by Instax.

0:44.6

Life is a ride meant to be captured, but most importantly, shed.

0:48.8

So snap those iconic moments instantly.

0:51.3

Relive your most precious memories forever.

0:54.5

Instax Instance and cameras and smartphone princes let you give your take.

0:58.6

Have something real to those you love the most.

1:02.8

Don't just take give Instax.

1:05.8

Learn more at Instax.co.uk.

1:13.8

Welcome to a word, a podcast about race, impolitics and everything else.

1:17.2

I'm your host, Jason Johnson.

...

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