Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has never shied away from confrontations with members of the media, but on Tuesday he attacked some reporters for “envy and jealousy” because he said the new environment in college football allows players to make “more money than you guys.”
During a press conference ahead of Colorado's first Big 12 matchup in 14 years, Coach Sanders was asked about his relationship with two-way star Travis Hunter, specifically what “life lessons” he learned from the prime coach while on a fishing trip together.
Colorado State wide receiver Travis Hunter (No. 12) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass, joined by wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (No. 5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado State University on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zarbowski)
Sanders began by saying the players talk about “everything,” adding that he has close relationships with all of them, but the question led him to veer in a different direction.
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“When I say I love these kids dearly, I truly mean it. It's not about what they can do for me on the football field, it's about what I can help them with in life. They are football players. Some of them will definitely go pro. I just want to give them the weapons to win in life, because football has changed,” he began.
“The football landscape has changed. Back in the day, you didn't attack college players. Now, they're making more money than you. Some of you get jealous and envious, so you attack them. You didn't interfere because college players were amateurs. Remember? Now you attack them directly. Any way you like: 'They're making more money than me. I'm upset about it. I'm upset about it.'”
Sanders went on to add that college football players are still young and susceptible to “slander.”
Colorado State University head coach Deion Sanders checks the video board during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado State University, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zarbowski)
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“Attack, attack, attack. These people are sensitive. They've never been attacked… They haven't experienced what a grown man experiences, what I've been experiencing with you guys for years. So that's the reality.”
“I know you guys do your job and have to do it, but your job is not 'offense.' If they don't play well, that's fine, but let's keep what's personal personal, because you're not going to like it if we start flipping the script on you guys.”
Sanders ended his comments by calling Hunter a “great kid.”
Colorado State University head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warm up before an NCAA college football game against Colorado State University, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zarbowski)
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Colorado will face Baylor on Saturday night in its first conference game of the season, and Sanders said he's treating the matchup like any other.
“We know we have to win no matter who the opponent is,” he said Tuesday, “but we're not going to say, 'Oh, it's a conference game. We have to try harder.' If we have to try harder, then we shouldn't try any harder anyway.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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