Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders announced on August 9th that Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler would no longer be able to ask him or anyone associated with the football program any questions. This decision came after a tense exchange between the two during media day on August 9th, where Sanders confronted Keeler about his past critical coverage of the team.
Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders recently announced that Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler would no longer be allowed to direct questions at him or any member of his football program. The university cited several instances of "personal attacks" on the football program as the reason for the ban.
The decision came two weeks after a heated exchange between Sanders and Keeler during media day on August 9th. Sanders confronted Keeler about his past critical coverage of the team, asking him, "You don't like us, man. Why do you do this to yourself?" Keeler responded by stating that he had done nothing wrong, but Sanders continued to press him, asking why he continued to criticize the program.
Deion Sanders Bars Reporter from Questioning Him or His Football Program
In a statement, the university's athletic department said, "After a series of sustained, personal attacks on the football program and specifically Coach Prime, the CU Athletic Department in conjunction with the football program, have decided not to take questions from Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler at football-related events."
The athletic department emphasized that Keeler's access to football-related activities would remain intact, and that his colleagues from the Denver Post would be free to ask questions to the coaching staff and players.
Deion Sanders Bars Reporter from Questioning Him or His Football Program
According to a Colorado athletic department spokesperson, some of Keeler's previous references to Sanders were particularly problematic. These included instances when he referred to Sanders as "Deposition Deion," the "Bruce Lee of B.S.," and a "false prophet." Phrases such as "Planet Prime," "the Deion Kool-Aid," and "circus" were also cited as points of contention.
The exchange between Sanders and Keeler during media day lasted for approximately 90 seconds, with Sanders repeatedly asking Keeler why he continued to criticize the program. Keeler attempted several times to ask a football-related question, but Sanders continued to press him on the issue of his critical coverage.
Deion Sanders Bars Reporter from Questioning Him or His Football Program
Sanders eventually agreed to discuss the matter with Keeler in a private setting at a later date. However, Keeler later published a column stating that Sanders "looked and acted and sounded ... afraid" during their exchange.
The Denver Post responded to the decision to ban Keeler by stating that Sanders had the right to choose who he spoke to, but that the reasons given by the university were subjective and could be interpreted as, "We don't like Sean Keeler's critiques of our program."
Keeler is not the first reporter to be banned by Sanders. When he was the head coach at Jackson State in 2021, a reporter with the Mississippi Clarion Ledger was barred from covering the football program after publishing a story about a court filing involving a top recruit facing charges stemming from an alleged assault on a woman.
Colorado finished the 2023 campaign with a 4-8 record. Sanders hopes to improve on that record this year. The Buffaloes will host North Dakota State on August 31st to open the 2024 season and make their debut as a member of the Big 12 Conference.
