Professional Football Hall of Fame Deion Sanders said after his debut as Jackson State coach on Sunday that his personal items were stolen from the coaches ‘office during Tigers’ 53-0 victory over NAIA Edward Waters, taking him to have “mixed emotions” about the day.
“On the one hand, the kids played really well,” said Sanders, visibly upset during the press conference after the game, before continuing: “But while the game was going on, someone came in and stole everything I had in the coaches office . Credit cards, wallets, watches. Thank God I had my necklaces. “
The school later told ESPN that Sanders’ items were “lost and found”.
But Sanders contested that the items were lost in a series of tweets on Sunday, saying that his assistant found a man who was committing the theft.
It was not stolen, but they recovered it. My personal purse was stolen in my office and my assistant caught the gentleman in the process of stealing, but she was alone. No communication failure, my man at all https://t.co/foXTKwqsQC
– COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) February 22, 2021
Whoever says my belongings haven’t been stolen is LYING. My belongings were removed from a zippered bag in my office and more items were also taken from my office. We have recovered them since they were reported. My team member witnessed the crime. #Truth
– COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) February 22, 2021
Sanders went on to say that the items have been recovered since they were reported missing.
Sanders, who also played in the Major League Baseball, in addition to being twice the Super Bowl champion, is the first football coach at the college level. Previously, he was the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas, for three seasons.
Sanders announced on his “21st and Prime” podcast in September that he would be Jackson State’s next head coach. The Tigers game on Sunday was the first of a seven-game schedule that runs through April. It was also Jackson State’s first closure since September 6, 2014.
Jackson State’s next stadium is Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, kicking off the Southwest Athletic Conference season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.