Abstract
This study uses genre criticism to examine how Deion Sanders, head football coach at the University of Colorado, uses faith-based rhetoric to motivate, teach, and connect in his Instagram messages and in videos posted on the YouTube channel Well Off Media. The analysis focuses on how his messages draw from traditions associated with the Black Church, the prosperity gospel, and sport leadership communication. The study reveals four recurring patterns in his communication: belief as a God-provided vision of future success that requires disciplined action, hardships as both preparation and revelation, faith as necessary to endure hardship but not sufficient to produce success alone, and the need to prioritize God over outside pressures and criticism.
Advisor
Bostdorff, Denise
Department
Communication Studies
Recommended Citation
Journell, Tate, "A Genre Analysis of Deion Sanders’ Social Media Communication Across Black Church, Prosperity Gospel, and Sport Leadership Traditions" (2026). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 13146.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/13146
Disciplines
Social Media | Speech and Rhetorical Studies | Sports Communication
Keywords
Key words: Black Church, Deion Sanders, coaching communication, prosperity gospel, rhetoric
Publication Date
2026
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
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