Deion Sanders has the Colorado Buffaloes off to an impressive 3-0 start, but Saturday’s overtime win against in-state rival Colorado State came at a cost.
Two-way star Travis Hunter suffered a lacerated liver on a late hit from the Rams’ Henry Blackburn, and the injury is expected to keep Hunter out for several weeks. And while the hit did come late (and probably should have been targeting), Sanders wanted to make it clear that he forgave Blackburn for the hit. This came after it was reported that Blackburn received a death threat.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Sanders defended Blackburn and wanted to make it clear that no player should ever receive death threats over a game.
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 said:
“Henry Blackburn is a good player who played a phenomenal game. 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. But whatever it was, it does constitute that he should be receiving death threats. This is still a young man trying to make it in life. A guy who is trying to live his dream and hopefully graduate with honors or degree, committed to excellence and go to the NFL. He does not deserve a death threat over a game.
“At the end of the day, this is a game. Someone must win, someone must lose. Everybody continues their life the next day. It’s 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 the best of his ability, and he made a mistake.
“So I forgive him. CU, our team forgives him. Travis has — he’s forgiven him. Let’s move on. But that kid does not deserve that.”
Hunter also said during a live stream that he didn’t have a problem with Blackburn’s hit, saying it happens in football.
Fans appreciated that comments from Sanders as the threats really need to stop.
This was how Twitter reacted
Coach Prime @DeionSanders modeling forgiveness.
Classy and thoughtful to put this in public for Henry (& others’) benefit. https://t.co/54WNGe8naS— Scott Hanson (@ScottHanson) September 19, 2023
Deion Sanders is very simple to understand. He doesn’t do things the way everyone else does and constantly gives himself and those around him POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS. He’s boisterous yes, but he’s smart, thoughtful, and honest. A real leader. Respect. https://t.co/rpr3xNVn23
— Mekka Don (@MekkaDonMusic) September 19, 2023
I have enormous respect for @CUBuffsFootball head coach Deion Sanders for taking this approach to this situation regarding Henry Blackburn and the threats made against him and family. https://t.co/hLNl1HLpbd
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) September 19, 2023
That @DeionSanders did this does not surprise me one bit – it was apparent to me when we competed against him (when playing his team), that he is a leader – this is what leaders do. c: @CUBuffsFootball @CUSystem https://t.co/Ux0ZiCe1F6
— Amy Trask (@AmyTrask) September 19, 2023
If you don’t like Deion Sanders and what he’s been doing at Colorado then you are just a straight up HATER 💯
About as classy of a response here as it gets. Much respect to Coach Prime https://t.co/HMyZfjGQGi
— Joe’s Picks (@Joes_Picks) September 19, 2023
Deion keeps making me a bigger and bigger fan. Gotta scoop the 🕶️ in tribute 😎 https://t.co/mcIKnCMlhZ
— Kyle Sloter (@KyleSloter) September 19, 2023
Tons of Respect for Coach Prime coming out and saying this https://t.co/fj8w79bknr
— Drew Livingstone (@ProducerDrew_) September 19, 2023
Good for Coach Prime for removing emotion and sending the correct message. #Denver7 https://t.co/xJQnmb3R8z
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 19, 2023
Whatever you think of Deion Sanders, this was a very classy move on how to handle things publicly about Travis Hunter being injured and Henry Blackburn the player who hit Travis https://t.co/pOHyvquQOg
— Alex Micheletti (@AlexMicheletti) September 19, 2023
Very, very classy from Coach Prime here.
Love the way he continues to handle himself. Great message here, too. I was personally pissed with Henry Blackburn's play, but this is a good reminder from Deion. https://t.co/MEo2zaeNsI
— Josh Carney (@ByJoshCarney) September 19, 2023
All class here by Prime. 🤝 https://t.co/NNWCS4dvim
— 🦆The Progrum Podcast 🎙️ aka The Progrum Guy 🦆 (@godux1987) September 19, 2023
Very classy. He's being a leader. https://t.co/ZdsDE4CQRb
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) September 19, 2023
