Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders was criticized this weekend for his treatment of the press. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum made a harsh statement about Sanders on Monday. College football fans reacted to Finebaum’s message on social media.
Colorado Buffaloes banned a reporter from asking questions
Per an ESPN report, Colorado banned a local reporter from asking questions of Sanders. Colorado claims Sean Keeler with the Denver Post has attacked Sanders and the Buffaloes football team repeatedly:
“After a series of sustained, personal attacks on the football program and specifically Coach Prime, the CU Athletic Department in conjunction with the football program, have decided not to take questions from Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler at football-related events,” the athletic department said in a statement provided to ESPN.
“Keeler is still permitted to attend football-related activities as a credentialed member of the media and other reporters from the Denver Post are welcome to ask questions of football program personnel made available to the media, including coaches, players and staff.”
Sanders’s contract with Buffalo contains unique language that allows him to tolerate only members of the press who are “mutually” agreed upon between him and the school. Sanders thinks Keeler has gone beyond fair comment and criticism.
Sanders’ decision has bothered many in the media, especially after Sanders went on a tirade earlier this month against CBS and refused to answer questions from a local CBS reporter.
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum calls out Deion Sanders
Sec Nation
As previously discussed on GH, Finebaum used his platform on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Monday to slam Sanders and the Colorado football program for anti-American behavior:
“This is a trait of Deion Sanders. He wants to have it his way, and I find him to be a bully and a hypocrite… Treating reporters like this seems like we’re in some autocratic country. This is not America, and the fact that it’s in his contract is really even more absurd.”
Maybe the treatment of reporters would remind Finebaum more of Saudi Arabia, a country a former staff member of Sanders reportedly tried to secure NIL funding from this year.
Sanders’ handling of the press doesn’t feel too anti-American–at least, not in the present climate. Former President Donald Trump refused to take questions from networks he had issues with.
College football fans react to Sanders being called an autocratic bully
Here are some of the top responses to Finebaum calling out Sanders for running his program like the Trump administration or an autocratic country.
Deion is making himself a super easy target to go after and he’s now crying cause folks are taking aim and firing.
All I’m gonna say is, if they don’t win 10 or more this season, just leave with your sons. Really. FSU’s starting to look brilliant for not offering him that job.
— Straight Edge Devastator 🦁 (@NJsVillain) August 26, 2024
Well, Paul, you rubes in the media have been censoring voices, ignoring important stories if it doesn’t reflect a certain political slant and promoting certain teams over others for decades, etc. How does it feel now to swallow some of your own medicine?
— Eliot Parker (@e4419) August 26, 2024
Oh suck it up Fineboom. Some of these nasty columnists don’t deserve the access. I’m not a big Prime fan but Colorado have the right to ban you from their facility. Media not superior. Just superior complex. #Colorado
— Joe Amato (@RocketJoeshow) August 26, 2024
So the reporter literally making up lies, rumors, falsehoods, and trying to ruin Deion’s reputation because he has to “pay the bills” and needs engagement on his stupid blogs is okay but Deion putting a stop to that and standing up for himself is bad?
Mannnnn that is hilarious
— Mike Coupes (@CoupesMike) August 26, 2024
Agree 100% with Finebaum, for once
— Duck 🦆 poo (@BrittJames2672) August 26, 2024
Correct. Coach Prime is a legend in his own mind. So boring at this point….
— Senator Gym Jordan 🇺🇸🦅 (@GymSocksJordan) August 26, 2024
Colorado is a public institution, it’s a bit concerning that they can ban a reported
R who hasn’t been charged with anything from press conferences.— (((JEB☘️☘️☘️ (@Positively18st) August 26, 2024
Paul Finebaum is 100% correct.
Since when did Deion Sanders and the University of Colorado become so afraid? Sounds like a good time to investigate the entire university and it’s approach to answering questions from the media. Galling for a public institution. https://t.co/vqFCDXxs0V
— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) August 26, 2024
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