Is Deion Sanders‘ ego out of control? That’s what’s circulating the internet after a mega Colorado announcement. The school will be retiring the jersey numbers of Shedeur Sanders (2) and Travis Hunter (12) during the Buffs’ annual Black and Gold spring game on April 19.
For the two-way star Travis Hunter, no real arguments there. The guy’s had one of the most ridiculous seasons college football has ever seen. He won the Heisman, the Walter Camp, the Bednarik, the Biletnikoff, the Hornung, basically everything! Efficiently played both sides — 670 snaps on offense and 686 snaps on defense in 12 regular season games. So when Colorado says no one’s wearing No. 12 again, fans nod. Fair enough. But with Deion Sanders’ son, it’s a different story.
In a new episode on Jason Whitlock’s YouTube show on April 15, the Ball State alum absolutely torched Deion Sanders’ plans. “Deion just got a new contract and part of the negotiation was my boy’s number gets retired as well and he gets to go down in history as I think he ranks maybe number seven on Colorado’s all-time passing list. He’s right behind Joel Klatt,” Jason Whitlock fired. (Correction — Shedeur Sanders’ fifth with 7,623 yards behind Joel Klatt with 7,808 yards.) And he didn’t just stop there.
Jason Whitlock called Deion Sanders’ move a “mockery” of past legends. “Colorado’s win a National Championship. They have great former players — Eric Bieniemy, Michael Westbrook, Kordell Stewart — and this guy’s getting his number retired… Win 13 games and lost 12,” he added. “I saw this yesterday and I just fell out laughing.” And honestly, he’s not the only one finding this hard to accept. Legendary QB Kordell Stewart still doesn’t have his number retired. Same with star RB Eric Bieniemy who’s Colorado’s all-time leading rusher and a Heisman finalist nor WR Michael Westbrook who was a consensus All-American in 1994.
So it leaves little to wonder — Is this about legacy or loyalty to Deion Sanders? To be fair, Shedeur Sanders’ numbers are nothing to scoff at — 14,353 passing yards, 134 TDs, and over 70 percent completion rate. At Colorado alone, he shattered over 100 school records. He won Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and took home the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for throwing 4,134 yards and 37 TDs in 2024. But no conference titles, no major postseason wins, that’s what’s keeping the debate alive. Meanwhile Travis Hunter is getting universal love.
Deion Sanders is right to make a case for Travis Hunter
The do-it-all unicorn. The generational talent. Yeah, Travis Hunter did it all in 2024. He caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 TDs while locking down receivers on the other side of the play. He became the first two-time Paul Hornung winner, accentuating his versatility with the football. He was also named Sports Illustrated’s “2024 Breakout Star of the Year.” If there’s anyone who earned the highest player honor, it’s him.
Still, many people think the ceremony’s coming too soon — especially for Shedeur Sanders. For a program that retired only four jerseys before — Rashaan Salaam, Bobby Anderson, Joe Romig, and Byron White — it feels like Deion Sanders’ move is more about making a statement rather than honoring tradition. Those legends waited decades to receive their honors.
Oh well, the Deion Sanders’ era isn’t just changing Colorado football. It’s changing how we define greatness. Whether that’s good or bad? That depends on who you ask.
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