Headline: Colorado Football Coach Deion Sanders Bans Reporter from Asking Questions at Press Conferences
Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders made headlines during a tense exchange with Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler at a recent press conference. Sanders expressed his displeasure with Keeler’s past coverage of him and the Buffaloes football program, questioning why the reporter continued to criticize them.
Two weeks later, Colorado announced that Keeler would no longer be allowed to direct questions at Sanders or anyone else involved with the football program. The university cited Keeler’s “personal attacks” on the program as the reason for the ban.
Despite the ban on questioning Sanders, Keeler’s access to football-related activities remains intact, and his colleagues from the Denver Post are still permitted to ask questions. The athletic department clarified that Keeler can attend events as a credentialed member of the media but cannot direct questions to Sanders or other program personnel.
The exchange between Sanders and Keeler lasted around 90 seconds, with Sanders pressing Keeler for an explanation of his critical coverage. Keeler attempted to ask a football-related question, but Sanders continued to question why the reporter targeted him.
Sanders eventually agreed to discuss the matter with Keeler in a private setting at a later date. Keeler later published a column describing Sanders as appearing “afraid” during their exchange.
This is not the first time Sanders has banned a reporter from covering his team. In 2021, when he was the head coach at Jackson State, a reporter from the Mississippi Clarion Ledger was barred from covering the football program after publishing a story about a top recruit facing assault charges.
Colorado is looking to improve on their 4-8 record from the previous season as they prepare to open the 2024 season against North Dakota State. The game will also mark their debut as a member of the Big 12 Conference.
The decision to ban Keeler from questioning Sanders has sparked debate, with Denver Post sports editor Matt Schubert calling the reasons given by Colorado subjective. Sanders’ contract allows him to only speak to “mutually agreed-upon media,” highlighting the ongoing tension between the coach and certain members of the press.
