Prior to this past season's 9-win campaign with Heisman trophy winner Travis Hunter and star quarterback Shadeur Sanders leading the way, Colorado football had some lean years when it came to wins but historically is a place with a rich football tradition.
Home of the 1990 national champions, just four players that have worn the black and gold for the Buffs have had their numbers retired. Those select few include Rashaan Salaam (#19), Bobby Anderson (#11), Joe Romig (#67) and Byron White (#24).
Notice that list does not include some very noteworthy names who could easily make a case like Kordell Stewart, Darian Hagan, Eric Bieniemy, and Deon Figures (among a host of others) that starred during the program's time at the top of college football.
That simple fact has put the recent decision to retire the numbers of Shadeur Sanders (#2) and Travis Hunter (#12) directly in the line of criticism from both fans as well as former Buffs.
The criticism isn't that Sanders and Hunter are having their numbers retired, it's the timing that has irked so many.
Salaam brought a Heisman Trophy back to the program in 1994, yet waited until 2017 to see his jersey retired. Hunter and Sanders have done an unprecedented job shining a light on the program and restoring its place as a top 25 program, but facts are that the duo is 13-12 overall in their time in Boulder with no conference titles or playoff appearances and are having their numbers put among the team's untouchables almost immediately.
Former receiver, CU offensive coordinator and assistant head coach and current Northeastern State (D-II - OK) head coach Darrin Chiaverini, a storied alumnus in his own right, took to X to share his feelings on the topic, and it's one that is shared by many.
It reads, in part:
"Saw the news today that Colorado was retiring #2 Shedeur Sanders and #12 Travis Hunter. Retiring numbers is a huge honor and something that should never be taken lightly. I believe strongly that there should be a cooling off period, the same as with the Hall of Fame in the NFL, so decisions are not made out of emotion."
"The excitement and the notoriety that Shedeur and Travis have brought to the University of Colorado is unquestioned but retiring these numbers before recognizing previous great players in CU history needs to be addressed. Players such as Darian Hagan, Alfred Williams, Deon Figures, Chris Hudson, Eric Bieniemy, Matt Russell, Joe Garten, Chris Naeole, Michael Westbrook, Daniel Graham, Kordell Stewart, Bryan Stoltenberg, Christian Fauria, Chad Brown and the countless other great Colorado players. Rashaan Salaam won the Heisman Trophy in 1994 and his jersey was not retired until 2017."
Chiaverini closes by saying that, "Legacy’s need time to be evaluated and proper steps should be taken so history is preserved properly. Congratulations to Shedeur and Travis. No doubt they are etched in Colorado Football lore but let’s make sure we honor those that came before. The Pride and Tradition of the Colorado Buffaloes will not be Entrusted to the Timid or the Weak!"
Coach Prime has never been one to shy away from controversy, and will surely be asked about this in the next few days leading up to the NFL Draft in a moment that everyone fully expects him to defend both Shadeur and Travis, but it does feel more than a bit disrespectful that some of the most treasured players in the program's history have been left waiting for decades for the same honor the coaches son and prized pupil are getting before they even graduate.
Like it or not, the official jersey retirement date for Shadeur and Travis is set for Saturday April 19th at the program's Black and Gold Spring Game.
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