Overview
- The University of Colorado retired Shedeur Sanders’s No. 2 and Travis Hunter’s No. 12 after just two seasons without a conference title, breaking from its historical practice.
- In 135 years of Buffaloes football, only four jerseys have been retired and the athletic department says such honors fall solely to its discretion and the head coach.
- At the 2025 ESPY Awards, Shane Gillis quipped that the retirement was based on a 13–12 record and an Alamo Bowl near miss, drawing laughter, gasps and widespread social media buzz.
- Detractors point out that past stars like 1990 national champion quarterback Darian Hagan remain without a retired jersey, fueling charges of favoritism.
- As Sanders enters Cleveland Browns training camp, his college accolades face renewed scrutiny over the balance between modern program-building and longstanding athletic traditions.