Colorado head coach Deion Sanders responded Thursday to the criticism over the program’s decision to retire Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter’s numbers, which has ruffled the feathers of a number of people associated with the football program.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer addressed the elephant in the room during a news conference ahead of the Buffaloes’ spring game this weekend and told reporters that he believed that part of the negative response had to do with the fact that Shedeur is his son.
“We talking about Shedeur, we ain’t talking about nobody else,” Deion said, per The Athletic. “The only reason we are having this discussion is because his last name is Sanders. That’s it. It’s been so many things accomplished at this university expeditiously. It’s been unbelievable. And I think we should be appreciative. It’s a new day, we’re doing things a little different.”
The school announced Monday that Shedeur Sanders and Hunter would have their respective numbers retired on Saturday during a ceremony at Folsom Field during the spring game.
The decision drew swift reactions from the football program’s alumni, who have expressed disappointment and concern that Colorado was leapfrogging other players who had also deserved the honor in order to retire Shedeur’s No. 2 and Hunter’s No. 12.
Among the former members of the football program to voice their opinion over the jersey retirement, the list includes Joel Klatt, Phillip Lindsay and Darrin Chiaverini.
Both players have strong cases for the honor after playing just two seasons in Boulder.
Hunter won the Heisman Trophy for his 2024 campaign as a two-way player, having lined up as a wide receiver and a cornerback.
Shedeur broke a number of program passing records and was the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner as the country’s top college football QB.
Both players are expected to be taken in the top 10 in the NFL draft next week.
Hunter and Shedeur have been credited with helping to raise the program’s profile, and the team finished 9-4 this past season, becoming bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016.
The Colorado coach hinted to reporters that he was feeling a sense of disappointment over the response to the number retirements, describing the root of it as “personal” and urging everyone to “be thankful for our people.”
He also insisted that Shedeur didn’t care about the blowback.
“Let’s get this straight: He’s a Sanders. He don’t care. Travis don’t either. I don’t either,” Sanders said. “These guys are thinking about the draft, thinking about where they’re going to spend their career. But we’re thankful that Buff Nation has been gracious; they’ve been wonderful.”