University football coach attacked for having pastor pray following recent game

The Freedom from Religion Foundation is at it again. The anti-religion group has issued a four-page letter condemning Deion Sanders, head football coach at the University of Colorado and a member of the NFL Hall of Fame, for allowing Pastor Dewey Smith to pray with the team after a recent game.

The letter claimed that Sanders’ use of a team chaplain at a public university infringed upon the rights of players who may not share his Christian faith. “Coach Sanders’ team is full of young and impressionable student-athletes who would not risk giving up their scholarship, playing time or a recommendation from the coach by speaking out or opting out of his unconstitutional religious activities — even if they strongly disagree with his beliefs,” the letter said.

READ: Deion Sanders still giving God glory

This is not the first time Sanders has faced scrutiny from the foundation over his open expression of faith. When Sanders took the job as Colorado’s head coach in 2023, the group raised concerns about his overt Christian practices, prompting the university to provide Sanders with training on religious expression and nondiscrimination policies.

Despite the complaints, Sanders has received support from the legal community. The First Liberty Institute has stepped in to defend his actions. According to Keisha Russell, a constitutional lawyer with First Liberty, Sanders is well within his legal rights to bring prayer into the locker room. “FFRF’s letter is beyond inaccurate,” she said. “There are multiple cases about chaplains being allowed in public institutions, and it’s clearly legal.”

Sanders, who has been open about his Christian faith throughout his career, has often used his platform to share his spiritual journey. After a devastating divorce in 1998, Sanders said he experienced a profound encounter with God. During an interview with Bear Grylls in 2023, he recounted a moment of despair when he nearly took his own life but was saved by divine intervention.

At his introductory press conference as Colorado’s head coach, Sanders offered a heartfelt prayer, giving thanks to God for the opportunity. “Out of all the people in the world, God chose me,” he said. “For that, I thank him, Each and every day, I’m trying to please him.”

–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice