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Deion Sanders responds to ESPN analyst criticism: ‘A fan only blows when you’re hot’
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Deion Sanders responds to ESPN analyst criticism: ‘A fan only blows when you’re hot’

Deion Sanders is no stranger to media criticism these days.

The Colorado Buffaloes head coach was specifically asked about ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum calling the Colorado program irrelevant during a recent episode of “Outta Pocket with RGIII.”

“But he’s talking about us. How can we be irrelevant and you’re talking about me? Like every time I turn around, someone sends me a quote that you’re talking about me.”

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Deion Sanders speaks

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders speaks at the Big 12 Conference Football Media Day at Allegiant Stadium on July 10, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Louis Grasse/Getty Images)

According to Grete Griffin, Robert Griffin III’s wife and co-host of the podcast, Finebaum must be a fan.

“The thing about a fan is you have to understand that a fan only blows when you’re hot,” Sanders replied.

“A fan only blows when you’re hot, so we need to be hot. I know what he’s doing and I’m proud of him for being smart enough to understand that this generation, and the thought process and the way we communicate in sports, is different and that he’s a dying breed.”

“So, what does he have to do to stay and keep up with this change, ‘Oh, I have to find that big bad wolf and talk about him, so now I keep my relevance.’ And I’m cool, but I’m not going to help you, I’m not going to add anything to you, I’m not going to respond because that’s what you want. Yeah, you just want me to respond, I’m not going to. I’m not going to help you get up.”

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Paul Finebaum in 2022

Paul Finebaum before the playoff semifinal between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 31, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Finebaum responded to Sanders’ comments during an episode of ESPN’s “First Take.”

“(Sanders’ comments) didn’t really mean much to me because it was a pretty irrelevant comment. He did say something that I agree with. He called me a ‘dying breed’ in the business, which I’m proud of. Because I really believe that the media should be treated with respect and not selectively persecuted like he does there.”

Finebaum is referring to Sanders’ ban on Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler asking questions of Sanders himself or anyone else involved with the football program.

Keeler and Sanders had a tense exchange during media day in Colorado on August 9.

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Deion Sanders speaks

Deion Sanders speaks on stage during Cry Out at the George R. Brown Convention Center on June 21, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Marcus Ingram/Getty Images)

“You don’t like us, man. Why are you doing this to yourself?” Sanders asked Keeler at one point during the press conference. “No, I’m serious. Why are you doing this? Like you know you don’t. Why are you doing this?”

Last season, Sanders led the Buffaloes to a 3-0 start and went 1-8 in the next nine games, garnering national attention throughout the season.

Sanders begins his sophomore season when the team hosts the North Dakota State Bison on Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

Fox News’ Chantz Martin contributed to this report.

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