FFRF Challenges Coach Deion Sanders on Religious Practices with Colorado Football Team

The group asked the university to remind Sanders that he was hired to coach football, not to “promote Christianity.”

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), an atheist advocacy group focused on upholding the separation of church and state, has formally requested that University of Colorado football coach Deion Sanders discontinue any team-led prayers and religious activities. According to a letter sent to university officials, the FFRF contends that Sanders, a high-profile coach, has blurred the lines between his position and religious endorsement, which they argue infringes on the First Amendment rights of his players. The request is a response to multiple instances of Sanders allegedly integrating religious practices into team gatherings, including a post-game prayer after their recent victory over Baylor University, where a Christian pastor was invited to lead the team in prayer.

In their communication, the FFRF expressed specific concerns about an October post-game prayer led by Pastor E. Dewey Smith, where Sanders reportedly told his players, “If you don’t believe in the Lord, you better believe in him now.” The prayer itself included expressions of gratitude and faith-based appeals, invoking the name of Jesus to celebrate the team’s success and well-being. Samantha F. Lawrence, an attorney for FFRF, emphasized in the letter that while the university previously reached an agreement with Sanders to limit religious expression, these recent activities suggest a continuation of faith-based leadership. Lawrence pointed out that the pressure to participate could be significant for players who might feel compelled to join in or be viewed as outsiders if they decline, posing a potential conflict between personal beliefs and team dynamics.

The FFRF has requested that the university reassert to Sanders that his role is solely to coach football, not to promote Christianity. They further requested documentation of any interactions involving Pastor Smith and the football program, including records on travel arrangements, payment, and communications concerning religious expression guidelines. By seeking transparency and assurance in writing, the FFRF aims to reinforce the importance of religious neutrality within the university’s athletic programs and to protect students from feeling obligated to participate in religious activities. This latest development underscores the ongoing tension in American institutions between personal faith and public roles, particularly within publicly funded entities where individual rights must be respected.