Tomekia Reed and Deion Sanders once shared the spotlight at Jackson State.
Reed was leading the Tigers’ women’s basketball program while Sanders was building Jackson State football into one of the biggest stories in college sports. Their connection went beyond working in the same athletic department, too. Sanders’ daughter, Shelomi, played for Reed during her time at Jackson State.
Years later, that relationship took on a much deeper meaning.
Reed, now the head coach at Charlotte, recently revealed that she survived a life-threatening health crisis that included collapsed lungs, kidney failure, multiple surgeries and an extended stay in intensive care.
She described the experience as the darkest moment of her life.
“I spent two months in ICU, intubated and placed on a ventilator, as my lungs collapsed and kidneys failed,” Reed wrote. “Family was called in to prepare for the worst. But GOD!!”
Sanders, who has endured his own highly publicized health battles in recent years, responded publicly with a message of support.
“Always praying for you and stay strong and don’t stop believing!” Sanders wrote.
Reed’s response revealed just how much Sanders’ own fight had meant to her while she was hospitalized.
“Thank you, Deion Sanders!! All seriousness, I thought about your fight a lot while in the hospital. And it gave me strength to keep fighting,” Reed wrote.
She added some much-needed humor to the message by joking that she wants “a Depend deal too,” before making clear that she is still working through her recovery.
“No Joke! I’m still pushing. Thank you for your strength and fight! Love you!”
The tweet exchange is especially meaningful because Reed and Coach Prime already had years of history together as coworkers before either faced health challenges.
Now, years after their time together in Jackson, Reed says Sanders provided inspiration during a moment when she needed it most.
Sanders’ health struggles have included numerous surgeries stemming from circulation problems and blood clots, with his medical journey becoming a public part of his story.
Last summer, Coach Prime was declared cancer free by his doctors in Colorado. This season, Sanders appears outwardly happier and healthier than we have seen him in years.
For Reed, watching him continue to fight apparently left a lasting impression. When her own health suddenly took a a turn for the worst, and the outlook became frightening, she remembered that fight.
A fight to keep going.
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