The retirement of Shedeur Sanders’ No. 2 jersey was meant to be a celebratory moment for Colorado. Instead, it continues to be a point of contention between two sections of the Buffs support system. Now one of the program’s most decorated former players is speaking out.
Former Colorado tight end Christian Fauria, a national champion and three-time All-Big Eight selection, said he “tapped out” on supporting his alma mater after the school retired Sanders’ number last year.
“I don’t want Colorado to fail — I want them to succeed!” Fauria said in an email to USA TODAY Sports. “But I find the head coach’s priorities off-putting. I officially tapped out … when athletic director Rick George allowed the University of Colorado to retire Shedeur Sanders’ No. 2 jersey.”
The son of Colorado coach Deion Sanders led the Buffaloes for two seasons and helped lead a 9-4 campaign in 2024. His contributions ended with an Alamo Bowl blowout to BYU that year. Shedeur Sanders chose not to participate in any All-Star Bowl games, the NFL Combine and only threw at CU’s Pro Day.
He finished his college career between Colorado and Jackson State with 14,327 passing yards, 134 touchdowns and 27 interceptions, while setting an FBS record with a 70.1% completion percentage.
Fauria called the jersey retirement “a vanity project driven by his father,” adding that criticism of Deion Sanders is often dismissed as hate.
“What I find comical is that any criticism … gets labeled as ‘hate,’” Fauria said.
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Fauria earned All-American honors in 1994 under coach Bill McCartney and said he believes the Program’s sustained winning hasn’t carried past one season. This is more about symbolism and hasn’t defined greatness. Colorado went 3-9 in 2025 adding to the debate about the program’s direction under Coach Prime’s leadership.
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As of now, Colorado hit a crossroads. Sanders enters the second year of his contract extension which puts him as one of college football’s highest-paid coaches at close to $10 million per year. This season will be litmus test for Sanders’ tenure in Boulder.
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