In an exciting conclusion to his third spring practice at Colorado, Deion Sanders took center stage during the annual spring game, a pivotal event for the football program.

Immediate Jersey Retirements Stir Controversy

Before kickoff, the jerseys of former Buffaloes stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter were officially retired, igniting a heated discussion within the Colorado football community.

Reflecting on the moment, Deion shared, "I looked in both of their eyes — I know they were pleased, thankful, and proud. That means a lot to me." This heartfelt sentiment was overshadowed by the timing of the jersey retirements, which many deemed abrupt, considering several other worthy former players await similar honors.

A Franchise Divided

"The time frame, nobody's going to be happy with," Deion acknowledged, seemingly aware that decisions like these come with their share of critics. He added, "We are a now generation... those guys deserve what they deserve right now. So I’m proud of them." But is the rush to honor them justified?

Attendance Drop: What Went Wrong?

Despite the historic occasion, attendance for the spring game fell sharply to 20,430, a significant drop from last year's 47,000 and 28,424 in 2024. Speculation arises that the appeal of the jersey retirements failed to attract fans as intended. Was the event scheduled at the wrong time?

Deion voiced his disappointment, saying, "We do have a tremendous fan base, but we need a little more support... We should be packing it like it’s a game." His observations serve as a wake-up call for the fans and the program.

Looking Ahead: Colorado's Future

With both Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter departing, the Colorado community is left wondering, "What now?" The decisions made today will shape the tides of tomorrow, and the excitement moving forward is palpable as fans and players alike adapt to the new reality.

In this now generation, the question lingers: How will Colorado balance honoring its legends while also fostering new heroes?