Deion Sanders addresses Colorado jersey retirement controversy

Deion Sanders on Thursday addressed critics of Colorado’s decision to retire the jersey numbers of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.

Sanders and Hunter are set to be the fifth and sixth players in Colorado history to have their jerseys retired, a decision that did not sit well with fans and even some former players.

On Thursday, Sanders addressed the controversy, focusing in particular on the decision to retire Shedeur’s number. The coach said it was the first time he had ever seen anyone “sore” about a jersey retirement ceremony, and suggested Shedeur was dragged into the controversy because of his last name.

“We’re talking about Shedeur. We ain’t talking about nobody else,” Deion Sanders said, via Pat Graham of The Associated Press. “If his last name wasn’t Sanders, we wouldn’t have this discussion. ...

“This is the first time I ever seen it sore. I don’t know if you know it, but I think every jersey I darn near played in is retired. So I’m pretty familiar with this. It’s never been sore.”

Sanders’ explanation does not really hold up. A number of former Colorado players have voiced their objection to the decision on account of the timing. Chad Brown, a linebacker on the team’s 1990 national championship team, was bothered that Sanders and Hunter were honored immediately while many of his teammates are still waiting to receive the same recognition.