Deion Sanders' head coaching debut at Jackson State was a success, but it was marred postgame when the Pro Football Hall of Famer discovered his belongings were missing.
The FCS school defeated Edward Waters 53-0 on Saturday, but Sanders didn't get much time to celebrate the victory. He told reporters postgame that his wallet and phone had been stolen, along with other possessions.
A Jackson State official later said Sanders' possessions had been recovered and were originally misplaced, not stolen, according to Joe Cook of WAPT16 News.
Sanders confirmed the items had been retrieved but refuted the claim they were misplaced.
Whomever putting out the lie that my belongings wasn’t stolen is LYING. My belongings were taken out of a zipped bag in my office and more items were taken as well from my office. We have retrieved them since being reported. My Staff member witnessed the crime. #Truth
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) February 22, 2021
Sanders was visibly upset during his postgame media availability.
"How do you think it feels, coming back, teary eyed because the guys had just presented me with the game ball - one of the best moments I've ever had in my professional sports career, emotionally - and then ... you're noticing you don't even have a phone to call your momma, to call your girl, to call your kids, because it’s been stolen," he said.
A sad, bizarre and unfortunate situation. After his first win as Jackson State's head football coach Deion Sanders reveals that his personal items were stolen during the game. pic.twitter.com/S0CyJMN1VW
— Joe Cook (@JoeCookSports) February 21, 2021
He added: "We're going to find out who did it."
Since moving to Jackson in December, this is the second time Deion Sanders has had property stolen.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 21, 2021
Someone stole a boom box from his car. Upon learning it was Deion's boom box, the person returned the property to him.
"What happened today was malicious, a personal attack."
Jackson State's next game comes Saturday against Mississippi Valley State.
The FCS season was postponed until the spring due to the coronavirus pandemic.