The coaches got into a little spat during the midfield handshake after Jackson State’s 26-12 win over Alabama State on Saturday.
Tigers coach Deion Sanders tried to hug Hornets head coach Eddie Robinson Jr., who shook Sanders’ hand but pushed him away when it came to the hug.
In response, Sanders pushed Robinson and took a step toward him as the two exchanged words. Robinson walked away, and several people stepped in between them.
During Robinson’s postgame press conference, a reporter asked Robinson what happened at midfield, and Robinson did not hold back. He said Sanders disrespected him in the media leading up to the game and did not want to act like everything was cool.
“Well, me being up front, I thought it was a lot of disrespect the whole week,” he explained. “So, you’re not gonna be disrespectful the whole week in the media. We didn’t talk in the pregame. I was out there the whole time at the 50-yard line. He walked through our whole huddle in our end zone. Came the long way around to get to his side of the field in the pregame.”
Robinson told the press he’s always been respectful of the game, so he shook Sanders’ hand following the game but wanted no part of a hug.
“Thought that wasn’t classy at all,” Robinson added. “In the postgame, I’m not about to give you the Obama bro hug. I’m gonna shake your hand and go on. I’m always gonna be respectful and respect the game.”
Robinson said he hopes he has another opportunity to face Sanders next year.
“I hope he comes back next year,” he said. “I pray he doesn’t get a Power Five job. We can play in Jackson, and I pray they put us for their damn homecoming.”
