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Several alumni from the University of Colorado are expressing confusion regarding the retirement of numbers for Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. The two standout players are set to have their jerseys, numbers 2 and 12, retired this weekend, just days before they are anticipated to be selected among the top picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
This decision has ignited a polarized discussion within the football community. Former Colorado star Chad Brown recently shared his thoughts on the controversial move.
In a conversation with TMZ Sports, Brown stated, “Everything’s black or white — either I am a jealous, old hater who needs to cry in my old man tears, or I’m exactly right in ‘I can’t believe Coach Prime would do this.’ However, he believes that the truth lies somewhere in between these extremes.
Brown acknowledged that both Sanders and Hunter are deserving of recognition as great talents in the program’s history. “While Travis certainly deserves his flowers and has earned the right to have his number retired, neglecting the achievements of past legends who contributed to Colorado’s storied past, including our national championship era—which I was part of—seems dismissive,” he explained. “Thus, two things can be true at the same time. These young men deserve acknowledgment, but so do players from previous eras.”
He added, “I’m not suggesting they don’t merit this honor. I’m pointing out that there are many other players who have equally earned recognition and might be more deserving of this accolade at this time.”
Browns remarks highlight a concern about the standards for retiring jersey numbers at the university. He noted that Colorado has only retired four jersey numbers to date, with Rashaan Salaam’s No. 19 being the most recent addition in 2017. Prior to that, Bobby Anderson’s number 11 was retired way back in 1970.
“If we had a history of retiring numbers indiscriminately, I believe I and many alumni would adopt a different perspective on this issue,” Brown asserted. “But given our previously conservative approach to such honors, and considering that we are now honoring two active players whose graduating class has yet to exit campus, this decision feels premature. The absence of a waiting period or an established process makes it seem quite strange to many.”
Brown also conveyed that a significant number of former Buffaloes share his sentiments regarding the matter.
Sanders and Hunter both made the transition from Jackson State to Colorado under the guidance of Deion Sanders, Shedeur’s father. Despite a rocky initial season, the duo saw a marked improvement in their second year. At one point, Colorado even controlled its own fate concerning a College Football Playoff berth, but a late-season loss to Kansas dashed those dreams.
Hunter, a remarkable two-way player, has won the prestigious Heisman Trophy and is expected to join Sanders as potential top picks in the upcoming draft.
As the retirement ceremony approaches, the excitement mingles with dissent. Many fans and alumni hope that the program can strike a balance between honoring present achievements while also remembering the past. This balance is essential in preserving the rich history of Colorado football.
With discussions continuing on social media and during community gatherings, one thing is certain: the conversation surrounding the retirement of Sanders and Hunter’s numbers is far from over. The expectations for the next season remain high as the football program seeks to build on its recent momentum.
Alumni, fans, and players will undoubtedly keep a close watch on how Colorado navigates this critical juncture, especially as they aspire to reach new heights in college football.
As the weekend festivities approach, the retirement of these numbers will surely spark more debate about the criteria for such honors and the implications it holds for the university’s legacy in sports.
