The smoke, literally and figuratively, has cleared in Boulder from Colorado’s dramatic comeback win over Colorado State. While the world will remember this game partially as “Sunglasses Gate” head coach Deion Sanders doesn’t harbor any resentment towards Colorado State coach Jay Norvell.
“I’m happy he’s a head coach. I’m happy for any brother that’s doing it and successful man. I truly am. I don’t know him, but I’m happy for him. I wish the best for him. I really do.” Sanders said of Norvell.
For those who have followed Sanders’ coaching career closely this isn’t the first war of words between himself and another coach. Connell Maynor, the head coach at Alabama A&M irritated Sanders when joking about his mobility scooter after Sanders’ foot surgery. Maynor’s remarks weren’t meant as an insult but the jest quickly became fuel for their 2021 matchup. Sanders led his Jackson State team to a blistering 61-15 victory and after the game left a pink child’s scooter at midfield. Game, set, match on the ribbing. But both coaches would later amend the matter and share genuine and positive comments about one another.
The following season Alabama State head coach Eddie Robinson made headlines with his infamous “He ain’t SWAC” remarks made towards Sanders. Coach Prime turned the insult into a marketing slogan which spawned a YouTube song and merchandise.
The mild drama in the SWAC follows the same blueprint we saw between Sanders and Norvell. Coach Prime is not one to throw the first barb, but if it lands on his side of the fence then it’s game on. His ability to amplify his response in the media will generally shout down most coaches he finds himself at odds with. It’s a losing battle that somehow certain coaches still don’t mind venturing into.
“You will never hear me speak negatively regarding another man or woman. I never spoke negative regarding my opponent in the NFL. I told the media who I was because they didn’t believe but never I’ve disrespected another man verbally. I wasn’t raised that way and putting another brother down don’t & won’t necessarily make me come up! I trust God for my elevation,” Sanders recently wrote on his IG channel.
Maybe this will be the last time it becomes “personal” for Colorado, but at this rate, don’t bet on it.
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