Deion Sanders has taken college football coaching to a ... well, different level, getting into it with fans on social media and seemingly clapping back after a story from the Athletic about how former Colorado players are faring. The story indicated that those players were run off by Coach Prime.
Sanders' son, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, also got in on the fun.
In the story from the Athletic, former Colorado safety Xavier Smith alleged that Deion Sanders failed to establish meaningful connections with players, resulting in a loss of confidence among the team. Shedeur Sanders took to social media to dismiss Smith's claims, questioning his significance as a player.
"Bro had to be very mid at best," Shedeur Sanders posted, insinuating Smith was just an average player, via ESPN.
The online exchange escalated when Colorado receiver Kaleb Mathis posted a video of his on-field success against Smith, prompting Smith's Austin Peay teammate, Jaheim Ward, to criticize Mathis' performance statistics.
Coach Sanders then joined the fray, sarcastically reacting to Ward's comments with a post that garnered significant attention online.
Per ESPN:
"Colorado receiver Kaleb Mathis posted a video of himself getting the better of Smith in a practice last spring, to which Smith's Austin Peay teammate, Jaheim Ward, noted that Mathis had just 38 receiving yards last season.
"That tweet led to Ward's career stats at the FCS school (36 tackles over the past three seasons) getting posted, prompting Coach Sanders to weigh in Wednesday, stating 'Lawd Jesus' above a screenshot of Ward's stats."
Lawd Jesus https://t.co/WVIBSUE14X
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) May 1, 2024
Sanders also defended his son against social media criticism, expressing confidence in Shedeur's future success in the NFL.
"He will be a top 5 pick," Coach Prime responded to a tweet about his son. "Where yo son going? Lololol I got time today. Lololol."
Oh man. Sometimes social media can get us all. But you can't fault Sanders for standing up for his son. he deserved applause for that. The rest of the stuff, though, seemingly could have been avoided.
The Buffaloes finished 4-6 in Sanders' first season coaching the program.
