Deion Sanders defends player receiving death threats after illegal hit: ‘Record this!’
Deion Sanders Jumps to Defend Opposing Player Who’s Getting Death Threats After Illegal Hit: ‘I Want You Guys to Record This’
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders is keeping the college football world on its toes.
Sanders is unpredictable, to say the least, and his unconventional approach to coaching, roster-building, and motivation has divided fans in his short tenure.
The former NFL star stunned again on Tuesday when he called for grace for a Colorado State football player who has been accused of intentionally hurting Colorado’s most talented player.
Rams defensive back Henry Blackburn knocked the Buffaloes’ star wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter out of Saturday night’s nail-biter in Boulder with a late hit.
According to Fox Sports, Hunter was hospitalized with a lacerated liver and will miss several games — including against Colorado’s in-conference opponents Oregon and Southern California.
Here is the hit:
Henry Blackburn was assessed a personal foul after this late hit on Travis Hunter. pic.twitter.com/0avKi1erLU
— ESPN (@espn) September 17, 2023
ESPN reported Monday that police were investigating death threats against Blackburn.
The player’s phone number and address were published online — as were those of his parents.
Is Sanders a good coach?
- Yes
- No
Sanders, who one might expect to be angry over the hit, made his thoughts on the situation known while speaking with reporters on Tuesday.
“I want you guys to record this and run with this: Henry Blackburn is a good player who played a phenomenal game,” Sanders said. “He made a tremendous hit on Travis on the sideline. You could call it dirty, you could call it he was just playing the game of football.”
Very classy move by Deion Sanders, who made sure to say this during his press conference today:
“Henry Blackburn is a good player who played a phenomenal game… This is a still young man trying to make it in life … He does not deserve a death threat over a game.”
“I forgive… pic.twitter.com/bx64k0ypgY
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 19, 2023
Sanders continued, “Whatever it was, it does not constitute that he should be receiving death threats. This is still a young man trying to make it in life. … He does not deserve a death threat over a game. At the end of the day, this is a game.”
“Very unfortunate. I’m saddened if there’s any of our fans that’s on the other side of those threats. I would hope and pray not. But that kid was just playing [to] the best of his ability, and he made a mistake.
“So I forgive him. CU, our team forgive him. Travis, he’s forgiven him. Let’s move on. But that kid does not deserve that,” Sanders concluded.
Coach “Prime” has his detractors, including this avid sports fan.
But instead of complaining or pouring fuel on the fire, Sanders showed grace to Blackburn (in keeping with his professed Christian faith).
It was not what one might have expected from a coach who motivates his team with raw emotion and bravado, especially without his best player and with two offensive juggernauts on the schedule in the next two weeks.
One negative word from Sanders would’ve been another black mark against Blackburn. Good for him for promoting grace in a culture that allows little room for forgiveness.
The post Deion Sanders Jumps to Defend Opposing Player Who’s Getting Death Threats After Illegal Hit: ‘I Want You Guys to Record This’ appeared first on The Western Journal.
What impact did Rams defensive back Henry Blackburn’s late hit on the Buffaloes’ star player have on the game and the subsequent threats made against Blackburn?
Deion Sanders, the head coach of the Colorado football team, has once again surprised the college football world with his actions. Known for his unpredictability and unconventional coaching methods, Sanders has managed to divide fans during his short time at Colorado. However, his recent act of defending an opposing player who has received death threats after an illegal hit has shown a different side to Sanders.
During a game between Colorado and Colorado State, Rams defensive back Henry Blackburn delivered a late hit on the Buffaloes’ star wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter. The hit was severe enough to send Hunter to the hospital with a lacerated liver, causing him to miss several upcoming games. The receiving death threats after illegal hit: ‘Record this!'”>incident attracted significant attention, and ESPN reported that police were investigating death threats against Blackburn, with his personal information being leaked online.
Despite the violent hit and the threats being made against Blackburn, Sanders chose to speak out in defense of the opposing player. In a press conference, Sanders asked the reporters present to record his statement. He praised Blackburn’s skills as a player and commended his performance in the game. He stated that while some might view the hit as dirty, it was merely a part of the game of football.
Sanders’ response to the situation was unexpected but commendable. At a time when many would have expected him to show anger or seek justice for his injured player, Sanders exercised compassion and empathy. He acknowledged that Blackburn is a young man trying to make a career in football and pointed out that death threats were an extreme response that he did not deserve.
The coach’s actions have sparked a debate on whether he is a good coach. Some argue that Sanders’ ability to look beyond the emotions of the moment and see the bigger picture is a sign of his coaching prowess. They believe that his emphasis on forgiveness and understanding sets an example for his players and fosters a positive team culture. On the other hand, critics argue that Sanders’ unconventional approach and constant surprises make it difficult to ascertain his abilities as a coach.
Regardless of whether one agrees with Sanders’ coaching style, his decision to defend an opposing player facing death threats should be commended. In a highly competitive and emotionally charged sport like football, it is refreshing to see a coach prioritize humanity and take a stand against violence and hatred. Sanders’ actions not only send a message of support to the player in question but also serve as a reminder to all those involved in college football that there are more important things than winning and losing.
As the investigation into the death threats continues, it is clear that Deion Sanders has made his position known. He has chosen grace, understanding, and forgiveness over anger and retribution. In a society that often values winning at all costs, Sanders’ act shines a light on the importance of empathy and compassion, even in the world of competitive sports.
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