In a pointed critique of University of Colorado football's leadership, former Buffaloes star tight end Christian Fauria announced he has "tapped out" on supporting the program following the retirement of quarterback Shedeur Sanders' jersey number. Fauria, a national champion with Colorado in 1990 who later enjoyed a 13-season NFL career, expressed his disillusionment in an email to USA TODAY, highlighting what he sees as misplaced priorities under head coach Deion Sanders, known as Coach Prime.
"I don't want Colorado to fail — I want them to succeed!" Fauria wrote. "But I find the head coach’s priorities off-putting. I officially tapped out in April 2025, when athletic director Rick George allowed the University of Colorado to retire Shedeur Sanders’ No. 2 jersey."
The decision to retire Sanders' No. 2 has sparked controversy, particularly among alumni from the program's glory days. Fauria, who was part of the 1990 national championship team, joins a chorus of former players voicing unease over the honor bestowed upon the quarterback, who played under his father, Deion Sanders.
Prior to last year, Colorado had retired only four football jersey numbers in school history. That changed when the Buffaloes honored both Shedeur Sanders and star two-way player Travis Hunter, marking a significant departure from tradition and fueling debates about the criteria for such prestigious recognitions.
Fauria emphasized that his objection is not personal against Shedeur Sanders. "I have nothing against Shedeur," he clarified, underscoring that his issue lies with the perceived lack of merit in awarding the retirement so soon in Sanders' college career.
The backlash underscores ongoing tensions within Colorado's football community, where legends like Fauria weigh the program's past achievements against its current direction. As the Buffaloes navigate this era under Coach Prime, such divisions among alumni could impact long-term support for the team.
