Cowboys Executive Claps Back At Deion Sanders' 'Ashamed' Comment

Dallas Cowboys executive disputed Deion Sanders' "ashamed" comment regarding HBCU players not drafted in 2023.

Kyle T. Mosley | May 2, 2023

Dallas Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay disputes Deion Sanders' claim of being "ashamed" of NFL teams drafting only one HBCU football player in the 2023 NFL Draft.

"Deion's doing a great job of promoting HBCUs and promoting Colorado and all those things,'' McClay told Cowboys Country. "And so that's part of what the deal is - he wants to see players drafted. We want to draft good football players, and good football players come from everywhere."

USATSI_18903716_168388561_lowres — Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders is seen during an NCAA college football game against Mississippi Valley State in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Tcl Jsu Vs Ms Valley244 Credit:© Hannah Mattix/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

JSU Coach Deion Sanders — Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders is seen during an NCAA college football game against Mississippi Valley State in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Tcl Jsu Vs Ms Valley244 Credit:© Hannah Mattix/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

Isaiah Bolden, one of Sanders' former players at Jackson State University, was drafted by the New England Patriots as the 245th overall pick in the 7th round of the recent draft.

McClay, offering logic, noted, "There's not a conspiracy against drafting HBCU players. We're looking for players that can come from anywhere. I think that we've had the opportunities in the NFL in having things to highlight the HBCU schools."

In the past few days, even Coach Prime's good friend Shannon Sharpe countered his "ashamed" social media posting. "I'm going to disagree with Prime [Deion Sanders] on this one," Sharpe said to Skip Bayless. "I believe if the guys were talented enough to get drafted, I believe they would have got drafted."

HBCU legend and former Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams said he was "stunned" that more players didn't receive calls to be drafted, especially after his work of introducing over 100 players to NFL scouts and executives at the 2023 HBCU Legacy Bowl in February.

The debate will continue for some time. HBCU fans and experts have been curious about why HBCU coaches and the four principal HBCU conference commissioners have not expressed any worries regarding the outcome of the draft.

Currently, 20 undrafted players from HBCUs have either signed UDFA rookie contracts or been invited to attend upcoming rookie mini-camps.

Published May 2, 2023

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: