ESPN college football commentator Paul Finebaum slammed Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders' decision to ban reporters from asking questions at his press conference.
The spat between Sanders and Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler erupted last week. Keeler was no longer able to directly question Sanders or anyone else associated with the football program. Colorado officials cited Keeler's past coverage of the program as the reason for the decision, but he is still allowed to participate in football-related activities.
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Paul Finebaum watches before the College Football Playoff semifinal game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 31, 2022 in Atlanta. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Finebaum appeared on ESPN's “Get Up” on Monday and blasted Sanders.
“This shows that Director Prime isn't ready for primetime,” Finebaum said. “This is a disgrace. Director Dion may want to talk about love and joy, and that's the basis of the words he's spewing, but treating a reporter like this feels like we're in some dictatorship. This is not America. The fact that it's in his contract makes it even more ridiculous.”
“But let's not forget, he did the same thing at Jackson State. This is typical of Deion Sanders. He wants to have his way. I view him as arrogant and a hypocrite. And frankly, as someone who was a fan of his throughout his career, including at Colorado, I am embarrassed by his behavior.”
ESPN NFL commentator Dan Orlovsky defended Sanders, saying he didn't mind him trying to “control the narrative.”
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders speaks to the media during Big 12 Media Day at Allegiant Stadium on July 10, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Candace Ward – USA Today Sports)
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“We live in a time where at some point these people should be allowed to stand up for themselves and not just be dragged around all the time. I don't think he's bullying. … Not everyone should get a seat at the table in terms of getting an opportunity to cover a program or a head coach.”
Orlovsky added that Finebaum's claims that Sanders is a bully and a hypocrite are “extreme in relation to this situation.”
A Colorado athletic department spokesperson told The Denver Post that some of Keeler's past comments about Sanders were problematic, including when he called Sanders “Deposition Dion,” “BS Bruce Lee” and a “false prophet.”
According to the Denver Post, an anonymous Colorado athletic department spokesperson said specific phrases like “Planet Prime,” “Dion Kool-Aid” and “circus” also came up in the controversy.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders speaks to the media during Big 12 Media Day at Allegiant Stadium on July 10, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Candace Ward – USA Today Sports)
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The exchange between Sanders and Keeler earlier this month lasted about 90 seconds, with the Pro Football Hall of Famer pressuring Keeler for answers, with Keeler repeatedly asking Sanders if he could ask him “football questions.”
Fox News' Chantz Martin contributed to this report.
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