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Deion Sanders Kicks Players Off Team After Blowout Loss

11:14 PM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders announced Tuesday that he had dismissed several players from the team following a 41-7 loss to Northwestern.

Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders announced Tuesday that he had dismissed several players from the team following a 41-7 loss to Northwestern.

Sanders told reporters that the players were removed for conduct detrimental to the team, without specifying which players were dismissed.

The decision came after Sanders observed players laughing and joking on the sideline following the loss, which he found unacceptable.

Sanders, known for his strict standards, set the tone for his tenure in December 2022, emphasizing that anyone not meeting his expectations would be surplus to requirements.

The coach's actions reflect the increased pressure he is under after a 3-9 finish in the previous season.

The dismissals are part of a broader effort to hold players accountable and improve the team's performance.

Sanders also addressed the pregame video that went viral, showing Colorado players mocking Northwestern’s temporary stadium.

One player, identified as Finneseth, apologized publicly for the video, acknowledging the foolishness of the behavior.

Sanders emphasized that the decision was not based on a single incident but rather a culmination of behaviors that hurt the program.

The coach also turned his attention to the struggling offense, noting that the team had averaged roughly 9-10 points a game through its first three weeks.

Some fans and analysts celebrated Sanders' actions as an example of accountability, while others questioned the timing and impact of the dismissals.

Sanders had handpicked the players he dismissed, making the decision particularly noteworthy.

Background

What's confirmed

• Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders announced Tuesday that he had dismissed several players from the team following a 41-7 loss to Northwestern.
• Sanders told reporters that the players were removed for conduct detrimental to the team, without specifying which players were dismissed.
• The decision came after Sanders observed players laughing and joking on the sideline following the loss, which he found unacceptable.
• Sanders, known for his strict standards, set the tone for his tenure in December 2022, emphasizing that anyone not meeting his expectations would be surplus to requirements.
• The coach's actions reflect the increased pressure he is under after a 3-9 finish in the previous season.
• The dismissals are part of a broader effort to hold players accountable and improve the team's performance.
• Sanders also addressed the pregame video that went viral, showing Colorado players mocking Northwestern’s temporary stadium.
• One player, identified as Finneseth, apologized publicly for the video, acknowledging the foolishness of the behavior.
• Sanders emphasized that the decision was not based on a single incident but rather a culmination of behaviors that hurt the program.
• The coach also turned his attention to the struggling offense, noting that the team had averaged roughly 9-10 points a game through its first three weeks.
• Some fans and analysts celebrated Sanders' actions as an example of accountability, while others questioned the timing and impact of the dismissals.
• Sanders had handpicked the players he dismissed, making the decision particularly noteworthy.

What's still developing

• He elaborated slightly and said they were removed for conduct detrimental to the team: Linebacker Tyler Martinez and defensive back Randon Fontenette offered their thoughts on the situation: Sanders famously set the tone for his tenure during his first team meeting after getting hired in December 2022.
• He told the assembled group of players that "I'm bringing my luggage with me and it's Louis (Vuitton)." Coach Prime made it clear he expected a certain set of standards, and anybody who didn't meet them would be surplus to requirements.
• Dismissing players after the season kicked off will always raise some questions, though.
• Heading into Year 4 of the Sanders era, Colorado is 18-22 with him at the helm.
• What went wrong? | Shapiro and Piro | 19 mins Deion Sanders said Saturday night he was going to put his foot in it, not on it.
• “There’s a few guys who aren’t on the team anymore, just so you know,” Sanders said.
• The dismissals are a direct response to what Sanders saw walking off the field in Evanston: players laughing, joking, showing what he called “joy in a loss” while he seethed right behind them.
• Sanders said Saturday he couldn’t understand it.
• “It’s never one,” Sanders said of whatever threshold was crossed.
• Players were caught on camera calling the place trash before a game in which they got run out of it.
• “I have the utmost respect for that school, and some foolishness came out of it and we want to correct our wrongs and make it right, right now,” Sanders said.
• Sanders turned his attention to an offense that has been almost nonfunctional against real competition.

Sources

• Bleacher Reportlink
• Denver Sports 104.3 The Fanlink
• Gridiron Heroicslink
• The Denver Postlink
• USA Todaylink
• Bleacherreportlink
• Nhprlink
• Fingerlakes1link
• Nbcsportslink
• CBS Sportslink
• Fox Newslink
• Dawgsbynaturelink
• WIREDlink
• WarpBeat — background on Promised jobs in Spain, sent to Thailand. Then came ‘Khan Baba’ call link
• Black and White Sports — video link