Troy Aikman 'couldn't be prouder' to see friend, former Cowboys teammate Deion Sanders coach Jackson State

Let Troy Aikman serve up an assessment of Coach Prime.

“He’s kind of an old soul that is so relatable to today’s athlete,” the Hall of Fame quarterback said of Deion Sanders, the rookie Jackson State coach.

“It’s a wonderful combination. I’m trying to think who else might be like that, to have been away from the game for as long as he has been, but is still very relevant as a player with this generation. Can you think of anybody?

"If I’m relevant, it’s because they see me as a broadcaster. They know I played, but they don’t relate to me as a player as much. When it comes to Deion, you’ve still got kids doing the 'Prime Time' dance when they get to the end zone.”

Count Aikman, the top pick in the same 1989 NFL draft class with Sanders who won a Super Bowl with him on the Cowboys, among a legion of figures in NFL circles taking a keen interest in Jackson State football. Aikman even hopped on his private jet, with former Cowboys guard Nate Newton in tow, to witness Sanders’ debut in late February, and plans a return visit.

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Aikman said Sanders’ commitment to the HBCU school validates all that the Hall of Fame cornerback has done in Texas in recent years to develop kids, as a coach on the high school level and in establishing an elite athletic program. It’s much deeper, Aikman said, than Sanders making the jump for the opportunity to coach his two sons, Shilo and Shedeur.

“Deion has his share of critics, as he knows,” Aikman told USA TODAY Sports. “I think a lot of people look at what he does, because of his personality and such, that they don’t appreciate what it is he’s doing it. I feel like him going to Jackson State, he’s really put himself out there and laid it on the line.

"So I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Aikman has followed Sanders’ evolution in coaching circles over several years. He’s mindful of the biggest setback, when Sanders failed at an attempt to establish a program at a charter school. Yet he has also sensed an authenticity that comes from the heart as Sanders emphasizes that developing character is a bigger priority than the athletic excellence he also seeks.

“Deion’s been doing this for a long time, helping kids and coaching ‘em,” said Aikman, the lead analyst for the NFL on Fox. "I’m just really impressed with him. I think he’s already made a difference with a number of kids, and now he’s dealing with older kids, and I think he will have the kind of impact in their lives that we all need.”

Aikman chuckled when comparing the disciplinarian coach he sees now with the player who wrapped his enormous talent in a flashy persona.

“His coaching style is more old-school than his playing style was,” Aikman said. “He’s old-school. I think that kind of gets lost with his style and flamboyant way." 

Sanders got choked up when Aikman arrived to watch his debut game.

“I hadn’t seen Troy in I don’t know how long,” Sanders said. “We text, DM. He’ll check on my kids, I’ll check on his kids.”

After all, as Sanders likes to say about his players, staff, friends and other associates, they’re “family.”

And there’s at least one more way Aikman can show support, as Sanders’ son Shedeur is one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits.

"Before the pandemic hit, he was going to go out on the field with Shedeur, check him out, check out his mechanics,” Sanders said. “Then the pandemic hit. It just delayed it. But to see him, I was in tears. I mean, dude, that’s Troy Aikman!"

The feeling’s mutual. Aikman wanted to pass along a message.

“When you see Deion again,” he said, “tell him I love him.”