Former NFL star and current University of Colorado Boulder football coach Deion Sanders is the latest figure to fall under the ire of the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) for the “promotion of religion and potential religious coercion through the football program.” The FFRF sent a letter to the University of Colorado Boulder in late January entitled “Unconstitutional Religious Coercion in Football Program.” The letter referred to “multiple concerned Colorado residents” who were bothered by team-led prayers. The letter cited that “…new football coach Deion Sanders has been infusing his program with Christianity and engaging in religious exercises with players and staff members.” It referenced a staff member leading a Christian prayer in December during an official meeting and another prayer in January where a staff member led players and coaches in a Christian prayer. The letter also accused Sanders of being part of a “pray to play” structure where players are coerced into praying for fear that they may not be permitted to play. “Players trying to please their coach surely will feel immense pressure to participate in religious activities and go along with Coach Sanders’ proselytizing,” the letter stated. It also stated that the recent Supreme Court Decision in Kennedy vs. Bremerton, which permitted a football coach’s after-hours prayers on the field after games, still reaffirmed that schools could not make prayers and participation obligatory. 

Sanders has often brought up his Christian faith throughout his career. He openly praised God during his first press conference as the new University of Colorado’s head football coach. He also had team-led prayers as the previous head coach at Jackson State. The FFRF noted that Sanders had led his former team in prayer and response at midfield. The article the letter cited referred to receiving “virtually full participation” from his players at the event. After leading his players in prayer, he encouraged them to “be safe” and that he loved them. 

In response to the FFRF letter, Patrick O’Rourke, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer of the University of Colorado responded that Sanders was “receptive” to changes. “Last Friday, the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance personally met with Coach Sanders to provide guidance on the non-discrimination policies, including guidance on the boundaries in which players and coaches may and may not engage in religious expression. Coach Sanders was very receptive to this training and came away from it with a better understanding of the University of Colorado’s policies and the requirements of the Establishment Clause,” the letter said. He also told the FFRF to refer any complaints from any players or coaches to the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance. The FFRF has not stated that any of the complaints came from any of Sanders’s players or staff. It is not clear what kind of changes the university intends to implement to appease the FFRF, but the foundation did respond positively to the university’s letter. “FFRF appreciates the University of Colorado taking seriously its commitment to secularism and diversity,” the Foundation stated.