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ESPY Roast Rekindles Debate Over Colorado’s Early Jersey Retirements

Sanders’s move to the Cleveland Browns training camp coincides with fresh questions about the criteria behind Colorado’s rare collegiate honors after a comedian’s punchline

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) jokes about his signing bonus during a press conference before day two of NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Saturday, May 10, 2025, irea, Ohio.

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.