Christian Fauria Withdraws Support from Deion Sanders’ Colorado Team

Christian Fauria, a former tight end at the University of Colorado, has publicly withdrawn his support for the Colorado football program under head coach Deion Sanders. Fauria, who won a national championship and earned All-Conference honors at Colorado, expressed his sentiments in a recent interview with USA Today.

Fauria’s Concerns About Colorado Football

Despite his fond memories and hope for the team’s success, Fauria’s discontent arises from what he perceives as a shift in priorities within the program. He criticized the decision to retire the jersey of Shedeur Sanders, Deion’s son, suggesting it catered more to ego than merit. Fauria stated, “I officially tapped out in April 2025, when athletic director Rick George allowed the University of Colorado to retire Shedeur Sanders’ No. 2 jersey.”

Endorsement Withdrawn, Loyalty Questioned

Fauria clarified that his issues are not with Shedeur as a player but with the implication of the jersey retirement. He noted, “I can root for Shedeur as a player while still calling his jersey retirement what it was: a vanity project driven by his father.” This decision, according to Fauria, reflects a troubling trend of loyalty among Sanders’ supporters that he finds objectionable.

• Christian Fauria won a national championship at Colorado.
• Fauria played 13 seasons in the NFL after being a second-round draft pick.
• He issued his concerns in an email to USA Today.
• Fauria’s son played at Colorado before transferring to Delaware.
• Deion Sanders has a record of 16-21 while coaching Colorado.

Future Implications for Colorado’s Football Program

Fauria believes Deion Sanders must demonstrate greater success to retain supporters like him. He remarked, “If he doesn’t win more games, he’s going to find that more people tap out on supporting his program.” This sentiment highlights the growing discontent among some former players regarding the program’s direction under Sanders.

As the Colorado football team continues to evolve, Fauria’s concerns may resonate with others who share similar views on the current leadership and priorities of their beloved alma mater.