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Deion Sanders landed criticism this offseason for seemingly restricting his star players from going to certain NFL teams. Most notably, those rumors circulated around potential top five picks Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders.
Coach Prime calls these claims a “bold faced lie,” saying he knows too many people at the next level to limit options to such a small pool.
The narrative began due to Sanders’ comments during a podcast appearance over the offseason. In that segment, he was heard saying he might “Pull an Eli” should a team he disapproves of select a star Colorado player without giving the opportunity to succeed in the NFL.
That, of course, refers to Eli and Archie Manning’s decision to keep the QB from playing for San Diego. That decision would end up working to Eli Manning’s favor as the passer spent each of his 16 professional seasons in New York, winning two titles with the Giants.
“There’s certain cities that ain’t gonna happen,” Prime said during that interview.
Things were taken a step further when a NY Post article surfaced mentioning teams six teams that he would like to see either his son or Travis Hunter play for, though that piece never definitively stated that those were the only teams he’d allow them to suit up for.
Although Sanders did not name the cities he would prefer his sons and Hunter not play in, he agreed with the hosts that the Eagles would be a “good fit.”
He also named San Francisco, Dallas, Washington and Baltimore as potential cities he would approve of them playing in — all of which are teams he played for during his 14-season career.
Deion Sander also mentioned Atlanta in that conversation.
For whatever reason, media immediately took that as his restricting players from suiting up for the other 26 NFL teams, which sounds ridiculous when you take a rational step back.
Still, it became a storyline insinuating an overbearing, almost dictatorial approach suggesting he wanted to hold pro teams hostage while forcing franchises to play by his rules.
Coach Prime says that’s not the case. In fact, he says it’s the furthest thing from the truth.
Deion Sanders denied claims of NFL Draft demands.
The head coach sat down with Romi Bean to set the record straight.
Setting the record straight:
I asked @DeionSanders about the reports that he will only let Shedeur and Travis Hunter play for 6 NFL teams:“That’s a bold face lie. That’s a stupid lie.” pic.twitter.com/yBYxZC51Pn
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) April 17, 2024
“That’s a bold-faced lie,” he responded when asked about the supposed restrictions. “That’s a stupid lie. I have more than six owners that are friends. I have more than six GMs that are friends…
“I know a lot of people, c’mon! I would never do that. If I was that stupid, I wouldn’t disclose the teams I would want them to play for, I would disclose the several that I wouldn’t… That’s stupidity.”
Again, it seems ridiculous to restrict not one, but two potential top five picks to just six teams, but that’s what the narrative has been!
Sanders attempted to clarify on Wednesday, but some will still hear what they want to hear.