Bieniemy Nominated for College Football Hall of Fame, But # Not Retired

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mark Pszonak | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 2:47 PM ET

If this happened three months ago, nobody would have said anything, but on June 2^nd it is an unnecessary story because of what Colorado head coach Deion Sanders decided to do on April 14^th. That was the day it was announced that Colorado would be retiring the jersey numbers of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter during the school’s spring game.

The backlash was swift and abundant. Hunter was a bit more understandable considering he had just won the Heisman Trophy, but why Shedeur, whose accomplishments in Boulder were minimal during his two seasons. The decision became even more confusing after the long list of Colorado greats who hadn’t had their jersey number retired was considered.

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Former Colorado Buffaloes player Shedeur Sanders during his number retirement ceremony before the spring game at Folsom Field.© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

One of these names was former running back Eric Bieniemy , who finished the 1990 season third in the Heisman Trophy voting while leading the Buffaloes to a National Championship. Overall, he rushed for 3,940 yards and 41 touchdowns during his time in Boulder. And today he was deservedly placed on the ballot for 2026 College Football Hall of Fame voting.

Yet, when he visits Folsom Field, he won’t see his jersey number retired. Instead, he will see Shedeur’s #12 hanging in the stadium, after he led the Buffaloes to a “memorable” 13-12 record and a 22-point loss to BYU in the Alamo Bowl. But I guess for Deion, memorializing his son was more important than doing the same for one of the most important players in program history.

Wrongs can usually be righted, but at this point this one will seem a bit hollow even if/when Bieniemy’s number is retired by Colorado.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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