College rivalries don’t ease up just because players start their NFL careers. Shedeur Sanders is gearing up for his second season in the NFL, but he still loathes the Colorado State Rams. The Cleveland Browns quarterback doubled down on the in-state rivalry between the Colorado Buffaloes and Rams.

“No. Hold on, let’s redo it,” Sanders said. “Former Colorado. Colorado State’s like, we don’t f*** with them,” Sanders said. 

Sanders, 24, was one of the few NFL players present at Nike’s The Opening Finale in Oregon on June 29. They were invited to watch the best high school prospects. He was introduced as a “former Colorado State legend” in an interview by End Zone Exposure. 

When Sanders got the mic, he asked to redo the introduction, corrected the mistake, and laughed it off. The clip has gone viral, especially among the Buffs’ black-and-gold fans, who are happy to know Sanders will always be a Buff at heart.

The gimmick of the interview was to troll these NFL players with the names of their former rival school. Sanders was not the only one to fall prey to this bait. Others included his Browns teammate Jerry Jeudy, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, and quarterback Bryce Young. 

Shedeur Sanders’ reaction in the clip is reminiscent of his journey with the program. When he arrived in Boulder from Jackson State, he brought back national relevance to the program. He reignited the fierce rivalry between the in-state schools and played in two of the most memorable showdowns in the scenic Rocky Mountains. 

Shedeur Sanders’ best Colorado Buffs games against rival Rams

In 2023, Shedeur Sanders transferred to Boulder from Jackson State and began playing under his father and coach Deion Sanders. This debut season game was memorable for more than one reason. 

Firstly, Coach Prime and former Rams coach Jay Norvell were caught in a public spat before the kickoff even started. Secondly, star QB Travis Hunter sustained an injury. He and Rams' defensive back Henry Blackburn were caught in a physical altercation. 

Sanders then replaced Hunter and led his beloved Buffs to a double-overtime 43-35 victory. He started with a 98-yard game-tying drive. The bitterness continued in 2024, and Sanders and Co. won a resounding 28-9 game. 

“Colorado and Colorado State have met 93 times on the football field, with the Buffs holding a commanding 69-22-2 advantage in the all-time series,” a report by Colorado Buffaloes on Sports Illustrated read.

They are not scheduled to meet until September 15 of the 2029 season. However, when they do, all eyes would be on them, including Sanders. What are your thoughts on this rivalry? 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar