Deion Sanders' Friend Claims Coach Offered Critics $50K to Stay Silent
A confidant of the Colorado Buffaloes coach stated Sanders offered money to critics, an offer that has reportedly gone unclaimed.
Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders has reportedly offered $50,000 to critics to refrain from mentioning his name for a year, according to Christopher Neely, a close friend and former personal videographer for Sanders, known as “Uncle Neely.” Neely made the claim during a livestream on Monday, following the Buffaloes' 57-24 loss to Oklahoma State.
During a press conference Tuesday, Sanders addressed the claim, stating it was intended as a joke. "I think you misinterpreted that," Sanders said. "Like, some of y’all sitting in here right now, I would love to give you money and not mention my name and I want to see how far that goes. That was a joke. That’s what we were saying, like some people live on your name."
Neely, however, defended Sanders on the livestream, drawing parallels between the criticism Sanders faces and that directed at Muhammad Ali. "You couldn’t look at Prime and tell he’s tired of this s–t," Neely stated. "And then for the most part, the people that attack him wouldn’t be making the money they were making if he wasn’t here to attack."
Neely added that the offer was made to some individuals who profit from discussing Sanders, and their refusal to accept the deal highlights their continued focus on the coach. "Think about that… You love talking about this man so much, and you make so much talking about this man that you turned the deal down. That’s what we’re dealing with."
Colorado currently holds a 2-5 record, including an 0-4 mark in conference play, placing them at the bottom of the Big 12. The team's chances for a Big 12 Championship Game appearance or a College Football Playoff spot are no longer attainable.
In their recent game against Oklahoma State, Colorado led in the first half before the Cowboys scored 34 unanswered points in the second half to secure the victory. Last month, Sanders dismissed several players after a 41-7 loss to Northwestern, citing conduct detrimental to the team. The Buffaloes are scheduled to host Kansas State on Saturday.
