Just days before the team’s season-opening game, the Jackson State football program is going through hell after heavy rains caused severe flooding in Jackson, Miss. Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders said his team is looking for temporary accommodations before kickoff on Sunday.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency after the flood waters caused problems at a water treatment plant, which caused low water pressure throughout the city, per CBS News. That has left many in the Jackson area without reliable access to clean water.
Jackson State football head coach Deion Sanders explained the situation in a released video:
“Water means we don’t have air condition. Can’t use toilets,” Sanders said. “We don’t have water, therefore we don’t have ice, which pretty much places a burden on the program. So right now we’re operating in crisis mode.”
The video:
The NFL hall of famer also detailed the steps he’s taking to take care of his players.
“I gotta get these kids off-campus — the ones that live on campus, the ones that live in the city of Jackson — into a hotel and accommodate them so that they can shower properly and take care of their needs,” Sanders continued. “Make sure all of our kids are fed, all of our kids have the necessities of life for the next several days, until this crisis resides.”
The HBCU school is scheduled to begin the season against Florida A&M this Sunday at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
