Ever find yourself rooting for a football team even if you’re a basketball diehard? It turns out you’re not the only one—Carmelo Anthony’s been there, too. While he’s never traded his sneakers for cleats, Melo’s shown love for the NFL more than once over the years. And now? He’s waded right into one of college football’s most talked-about debates. This isn’t just a casual observation; Melo’s known for his insightful takes on sports and culture, giving his opinion extra weight.
So let’s ask: do you have a favorite squad? Been following the noise out of Colorado? Because things just took a wild turn, with Melo standing firmly behind two rising stars before their college careers are even finished. The Colorado Buffaloes, under Coach Deion “Prime” Sanders, have become a national talking point, and Melo’s adding his voice to the conversation.
On a recent episode of 7PM in Brooklyn, Carmelo Anthony didn’t hold back when it came to the buzz around Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Melo called them “cultural shifters” and said straight up, “they [have] changed the game.” He wasn’t here for the back-and-forth criticism either.
Shutting down the debate, he asked the real question: “Who else you gon’ retire from Colorado? Why wait?” And he kept it all the way real: “A lot of times we wait too long to give people flowers. It’s college; if they have that impact, then put they s— up there.” And honestly, isn’t that the same logic we’re starting to see more of across sports? Whether it’s Kobe Bryant getting his jerseys retired by the Lakers before his career ended, or Serena Williams receiving honorary tributes while still competing, it’s about recognizing greatness in the moment.
Melo’s drawing a parallel to the NBA and tennis, suggesting a broader trend in sports towards celebrating athletes while they’re still active, not just in retrospect. By calling Hunter and Sanders “cultural shifters,” Melo likely means they’ve injected a new level of excitement, attention, and relevance into Colorado football, transforming the program’s image and national profile. His urgency in wanting their jerseys retired now underscores a belief in celebrating achievements in real-time, rather than waiting for careers to end.
Melo believes Travis Hunter & Shedeur Sanders deserve their jersey retirement for their impact on shifting Colorado’s culture
Me: “A lot of times we wait too long to give people flowers … Put they s*** up there.” pic.twitter.com/9pG0G6gEGr
— 7PM in Brooklyn (@7PMinBrooklyn) April 19, 2025
So, what is this big news out of Colorado? The university is retiring the jersey numbers of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders—and honestly, it makes perfect sense! Travis’ been an absolute monster on the field—winning the 2024 Heisman and putting up jaw-dropping numbers like 153 catches, nearly 2,000 yards, and 20 touchdowns. Let’s not forget his seven interceptions and 16 passes defended.
Talk about a dual-threat! Meanwhile, Shedeur, No. 2, wasn’t just playing the game—he was owning it, nailing 71.8% of his passes, racking up over 7,300 yards, and throwing 64 touchdowns in just 24 games. These two changed the game for Colorado football, and their jerseys? Well, they’re going up in the rafters where they belong.
Beyond the stats, Hunter and Sanders brought a swagger and winning mentality to a program that desperately needed it, transforming them into a team that commands national attention. Colorado football was largely an afterthought before their arrival, and they’ve single-handedly made the program relevant on a national stage.
Deion Sanders criticism for Jersey retirements: Is the timing too soon?
Deion Sanders, or “Coach Prime” as he’s affectionately known, isn’t exactly getting a free ride after announcing the jersey retirements of the players at Colorado. While fans have celebrated the move, there’s also been some pushback, especially when it comes to the timing.
Critics have questioned whether it’s too early to hang up jerseys for players who still have plenty of football left to play. Chad Brown, a Buffaloes Hall of Fame linebacker, posted on social media: “If the players from the National Champ team have not received such an honor, by default, this action dismisses, diminishes & for a new generation of CU fans erases their greatness. I would never minimize the impact of #2 or #12, they are amazing players. But this timing is poor.“
Moreover, the duo will become just the fifth and sixth players in the 135-year history of the school to have their numbers retired. However, as former Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay pointed out, there are many legendary players from before their time who still haven’t received such an honor. “It’s about the timing,” Lindsay shared. “But it’s also about the guys who came before them. The ones we stand on the shoulders of—they deserve that moment too.”
Brown’s concern is that honoring current players might overshadow the achievements of past legends, particularly those from the national championship team who haven’t received the same recognition. Lindsay’s point emphasizes the importance of respecting the history of the program and ensuring that previous generations of great players are also properly honored. This debate highlights the tension between celebrating current success and respecting the traditions and legacy of a program.
Melo came through with a fresh perspective on the whole situation, giving props where they’re due. “Pops is prime. They know how to put on and put a show on. They learned it from the best. Ain’t no one talking about Colorado football. Prime turned that s— around, and he put his son at the helm of that to be the face of whatever happens… Prime used his own to show you how to do it.” Melo’s admiration for Coach Prime was clear—he’s all about the showmanship and how Deion’s turned Colorado football into a powerhouse.
But Coach Prime wasn’t about to let that go without setting the record straight. He pushed back, saying, “We’re talking about Shedeur. We ain’t talking about nobody else. If his last name wasn’t Sanders, we wouldn’t have this discussion.” It’s all about recognizing Shedeur and the impact he’s had—not just the name behind it.
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