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If there’s one thing that Deion Sanders has made abundantly clear in his time as a college football head coach, it’s just how much he cares for his players. Sanders has shown time and again that he wants his players to succeed not only on the field, but as members of their community.
He displayed as much with a challenge, and in return a promise, to wide receiver LaJohntay Wester surrounding the senior’s jersey number and performance in the classroom. Sanders recenlty doubled down on his stance regarding his team’s academic performance, threatening to without NIL funding to players who are not earning adequate grades.
Coach Prime message to the Seniors about their Grades and NIL :
“When you stop going to class and I see a multitude of F’s and D’s, We going to affect your check”
🎥 : @DeionSandersJr pic.twitter.com/Rx5tg9uUuA
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) January 12, 2025
“I don’t get involved in what you make, or whatever,” Sanders said to his team. “But when you stop going to class, now you’re affecting me. So we’re going to affect your check. When you stop going to class and I see a multitude of Fs and Ds, we’re going to affect your check. Do we understand that?”
Sanders then explained to his team that they’ll face similar challenges in the pros.
“When you stop doing certain things that you’re supposed to do, that you signed up to do, then you’re going to be affected,” he stated.
Now, some of you may say “he can’t do that” or “it’s against the rules.” But that’s not the case! University of Miami adjunct professor Darren Heitner, who specializes in NIL, explained that there are not NCAA rules addressing NIL and academic performance.
Honestly, it’s a refreshing thing to hear from Sanders. He’s yet again reinforcing the idea that he wants his players to be well-rounded adults. If that means taking money out of their pockets as consequences for their actions, then so be it.