Jackson State coach Deion Sanders promotes COVID-19 vaccine: 'It ain't no excuse'

Two weeks before the Jackson State football season opener, coach Deion Sanders is encouraging the public to get vaccinated.

Jackson State corporate sponsor Walmart came to campus on Friday to offer free COVID-19 vaccines from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sanders was the spokesperson on the social media video promoting Walmart bringing the vaccination clinic to campus.

"People, it ain't no excuse," Sanders said in the video. "One of the reasons this is very important is because first and foremost, we want to preserve life. Everybody's talking about what they would do, what they're not going to do, what they don't trust, what they don't trust. We trust a lot of things, but we need to trust the right thing."

Sanders confirmed he's been vaccinated for "quite a long time" in the video as well.

"One thing about this vaccination, it preserves life," Sanders said. "I want a chance to win. I want a chance to dominate. I want a chance to take this university and these young men and women to another level. How am I going to do that if I'm not here?"

During the spring, Jackson State's season ended a week earlier than expected when the finale against Prairie View A&M was canceled because of a positive COVID-19 test and multiple players not feeling well in the program.

 The season opener is Sept. 5 against Florida A&M in Miami at the Orange Blossom Classic.

"Not just the persons on the team," Sanders said. "I mean the equipment team, the trainers, the support staff and as many of the students as possible. That's our goal. Life is everything, you can't win if you ain't in. Think about that."

Jackson State would become the second Mississippi college football team to publicly announce its been 100% vaccinated. On Aug. 8, Ole Miss confirmed all Rebel football players and staff members were fully vaccinated. 

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