2025 NFL Draft prospect Shedeur Sanders had his Colorado jersey recently retired, and this gesture of recognition was blasted by analyst and critic Jason Whitlock.
In one of the recent episodes of his program “Fearless,” Jason Whitlock blasted
“If his last name wasn’t Sanders, his number wouldn’t be retired,” Whitlock said. “Rashan Salam won the Heisman Trophy, and it took 23 years before [they] retired his number. These coaches, man, their egos and the money they’ve made. You’ve got Bill Belichick running around with a 24-year-old sugar baby, and Deion Sanders has turned his son into his sugar baby.”
“He’s made him an idol, idolatry, and he’s making a fool of himself.”
Critics argue that Shedeur Sanders’ jersey retirement at Colorado was undeserved and largely influenced by nepotism, given that his father, Deion Sanders, is the team’s head coach. Many believe that while Shedeur had an impressive college career, his accomplishments do not warrant such an early jersey retirement, especially when compared to past Colorado legends who have yet to receive the same honor.
Former Buffaloes linebacker Chad Brown voiced concerns, stating that the program has historically been conservative with jersey retirements, making the decision to honor Sanders feel premature. Additionally, some fans and analysts have pointed out that Sanders’ success was amplified by the media attention surrounding his father, rather than purely based on his individual performance.
Despite the criticism, Colorado has stood by its decision, maintaining that Shedeur Sanders’ impact on the program justified the honor.
Shedeur Sanders Likened to George Floyd Over “Undeserved” Jersey Retirement
In the same episode of his program, Jason Whitlock also compared Shedeurt Sanders to the late George Floyd, mostly due to the “underserved” awards, recognition, and sense of accomplishment attached to his name.
George Floyd has been honored through various tributes, including statues, murals, and memorials, as well as streets and scholarships named after him. These efforts aim to recognize Floyd as a symbol of the fight against racial injustice and police brutality, following his tragic death in 2020.
Critics, however, argue that such honors are undeserved, pointing to Floyd’s personal history and questioning whether he should be elevated to a heroic status. They contend that the focus on Floyd oversimplifies complex societal issues and detracts from broader conversations about systemic racism and justice reform.
Shedeur Sanders is currently preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft, with teams like the New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders showing strong interest in selecting him.
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