Depending on where you stand on the fault line, youve either been sending text messages explaining how Deion Sanders decision to leave Jackson State makes him a sellout, or youve been arguing that his autonomy as a Black man allows him the right to decide whats best for him and his family.

But youve been saying something. We all have.

To understand the controversy surrounding the biggest sports decision since LeBron James took his talents to Miami, you have to understand the Black communitys proprietorship of Black athletes.

Before Deion Sanders was Jackson States head coach, even before he was the most feared cornerback in the National Football League, and way before he was Florida States most recognized face on campus, he belonged to us.

He was flamboyantly ours. He was all hip-hop with his gold necklaces and luxurious Jheri curl. He was all leather jackets and dark shades. He was Must be the Money. He was Prime Time. He was Muhammad Ali in his talk and Jack Johnson in his extravagance.