On Sunday evening, the CBS News magazine program 60 Minutes produced another feature on former Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders.
During the episode centering Sanders, now at the University of Colorado, the comparisons of Boulder, Colorado, to Jackson, Mississippi, did not sit well with current Jackson State women’s basketball coach Tomekia Reed.
“@60Minutes y’all made Jackson, MS look horrible,” Reed posted on X. “You should be ashamed of yourselves for showing the worst house you can find in America and make it like that describes us. I’m not even sure if that abandoned house you showed is even in Jackson. #ThisisHome”
The Sanders piece, narrated by Jon Wertheim, featured footage of a mural of Sanders and decaying concrete in Jackson, while Boulder footage included water fountains and a kite store.
Reed also noted in response to another poster on X that her critique was of 60 Minutes’ perception of Jackson, not Sanders himself.
“My post is not about Prime! So don’t start that,” she said. “I am proud of his move, his opportunity and I cheer for them every game. He is showing that once a HBCU coach gets a chance they can make it happen! My post is about how 60 minutes could have showed a better Jackson, MS.”
“I had never fathom coming here,” Coach Sanders says of the @CUBuffsFootball.
“I ain’t ever even vacation here, man. I ain’t ever been skiing or whatever you call it.” https://t.co/wtgTJBgjn6 pic.twitter.com/CjZwDf2Dug
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 18, 2023
Reed’s comments were made in the wake of Sanders’ explaining to 60 Minutes why he departed Jackson State for Colorado.
“I didn’t leave quick,” Sanders said. “I left when I was supposed to leave. We finished. Most coaches get a new job, and they leave expeditiously. I finished the task.”
Sanders was then asked about what he told the student-athletes when he left and whether he followed through on his mission to elevate Jackson State football.
“Opportunity called. Sooner than later in life, there will be opportunity that knocks at your door, and at this juncture in my life, I felt like the opportunity for not only me but for my kids as well was tremendous,” Sanders said.
I totally agree that 60 minutes found the most deplorable house/ scene to portray Jackson. I’m sure there are blighted areas in Boulder. The poor are everywhere. A fairer comparison would have been the differences in the Athletic Departments.
You’d be incorrect about Boulder. That city is immaculate
As a pastor in the city of Jackson, I was not pleased with 60th minutes showing the most deployer house they can find near the University.
It doesn’t matter where you live in this world because the whole world is a ghetto the angels don’t want to live down here! believe me when Jesus take over earth and transform it to paradise Boulder would be considered a slum!!!!
I agree. They found the worst living situation they could to compare it to Colorado wealthy portion of the state. I know there are other types of living in Colorado. Also, everyone in Jackson, MS does not live this way….. This was very sad moment for people in Jackson and the surrounding area.
That’s ok! I’ve seen God take what the world says is no good, and never going to be anything and turn it into the talk of every conversation. Did he not do that just a few years ago?Amen somebody!!!!!