ESPN's "College GameDay" announced Sunday to much fanfare that it would be heading to Jackson, Miss., for Saturday's game between unbeaten Jackson State (7-0, 4-0 in SWAC) and its rival, Southern (5-2, 3-1).
JACKSON STATE, WE’RE COMING TO YOUR CITY‼️
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 23, 2022
The epic HBCU rivalry matchup between @GeauxJags and @GoJSUTigersFB is up next! pic.twitter.com/MuT86mfg6Q
But there are some who think that — while the attention is needed — it's misdirected.
Sorta sad:
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) October 24, 2022
City literally runs out of clean water while the tidal wave of poverty envelops all hope. The world shrugs.
Jackson State coached by Deion. WE'LL BE THERE!!!!!!! https://t.co/UCK1A7OL76
On Thursday — in much quieter but more impactful news — the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced "it is investigating whether Mississippi state agencies discriminated against the state's majority-Black capital city by refusing to fund improvements for its failing water system," per CBS News.
The announcement of a civil rights investigation into the state's water crisis came after Jackson lost water pressure for days following a late-August storm system.
"We're operating in crisis mode," said Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders at the time, via Instagram. Sanders said the team was forced to move players staying on Jackson State's campus into hotels in the days following the water shortage.
The decision by "College GameDay" to broadcast from an HBCU school should be celebrated. How ESPN and "College Gameday" covers the water crisis could determine whether the praise was justified.
Jackson State head football coach Deion Sanders says the Jackson, Mississippi water crisis shows how HBCUs are "underserved and overlooked":
— The Recount Alt (@therecountalt) October 17, 2022
"I'm not into politics, but I am into people. And I just feel as though our people should be taken care of a lot better." pic.twitter.com/I07efvZ0Vk
In an interview with "60 Minutes," Sanders addressed the lack of attention and resources given to the residents of Jackson and HBCUs in general.
"I'm not into politics, but I am into people," Sanders said.
"And I just feel as though our people should be taken care of a lot better."
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