Deion Sanders labeled a 'bully' by ESPN analyst, called out for his latest antics against the media

Thousands and thousands of viewers tune into the Paul Finebaum Show everyday to hear Finebaum’s slant on college football, usually coming from a SEC-biased perspective. On Get Up this morning, Finebaum wasn’t asked about the SEC. He was asked about head Coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado program.

The main topic of conversation centered around Coach Sanders banning Denver Post reporter Sean Keeler for questioning Sanders recently. Keeler’s questions were called “personal attacks” by the program. He is still permitted to attend press conferences, but there is an intention to not engage in his questions.

Finebaum was critical of that banning. Here is what he had to say:

“This is a trait of Deion Sanders. He wants to have it his way and I find him to be a bully and a hypocrite... Treating reporters like this seems like we’re in some autocratic country. This is not America, and the fact that it’s in his contract is really even more absurd.”

The treatment of Keeler has been an interesting talking point recently. Finebaum certainly has merit to his criticism. Coach Sanders is the head coach of a major college football program, and with that, there is going to be a large level criticism attached. That is especially true coming off of a 4-8 campaign last fall.

It is also Sander’s right to not to answer questions he feels are a personal attack, or disrespectful in manner. Calling Coach Sanders a “bully” does seem a bit hyperbolic, no matter how much he disagrees with the action. There are going to be two sides to this issue, and both have merit to their perspective.

Regardless, Finebaum brings a large audience and isn’t shy or criticizing public figures if he disagrees with them. This is just the latest backlash that Coach Sanders has faced this offseason. He enters a massive 2024 season, his second year with the Buffaloes, with a lot to prove. Sanders is going to face harsh criticism all year. Winning would be a good start to rebuilding his image, and regulate the amount of criticism he has faced over recent months.