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Deion Sanders has no problem putting his own spin on criticism.
So when Colorado State coach Jay Norvell rocked the boat Wednesday with apparent disparaging comments about Coach Prime, it was only a matter of time before Sanders used those words against him.
“I don’t care if they hear this in Boulder. I told them [ESPN] — I took my hat off, and I took my glasses off. I said, ‘When I talk to grown-ups, I take my hat and my glasses off. That’s what my mother taught me,'” Norvell said on his weekly coach’s show, seeming to take a shot at Sanders’ signature hat-and-sunglasses look.
There was one word Sanders needed in a motivational speech to utilize those words to motivate the Buffaloes, fresh off a rollicking 2-0 start: “Personal.”
“Beautiful day, ain’t it? I’m minding my own business, watching some film, trying to get ready, trying to get out here and be the best coach I can be, and I look up and read some bull junk today about,” said Sanders in the Well Off Media, an account run by Deion Sanders Jr, video. “Once again, why would you want to talk about us?
“We don’t talk about nobody. All we do is go out here, work our butts off and do our job on Saturday.
“But, when they give us ammunition, they done messed around and made it what?”
“Personal,” the players said in response.
“It was gonna be a great test, the ‘Battle of Colorado’ but they done messed around and made it?” Sanders asked again.
“Personal,” the players said again.
Sanders is also seen later in the video accusing Norvell of implicating his family with his comments.
“Now he’s messing with my mama,” Sanders said.
Norvell said he isn’t concerned his comments gave Colorado extra motivation.
“They (Colorado) are not going to like us no matter what we say or do,” Norvell said. “It doesn’t matter. So, let’s go up there and play. That’s just how I feel about it.”
Norvell struck a different tone than he did earlier in the week when he spoke about the respect he had for Sanders.
“Just to start talking about Colorado, Deion Sanders has had a lot of public critics. I’m not one of them,” Norvell said. “I really respect all head coaches and the sacrifices that they’ve had to make to become head coaches. I appreciate the path they have to go to get there.”
The Buffaloes have electrified the nation and become an unexpected phenomenon this year, defeating TCU and Nebraska to double their win total from last season after just two games.
As the Buffaloes are already a 23.5-point favorite for the rivalry matchup on Saturday, Norvell may soon end up regretting his words.
Norvell, who’s in his second season at Colorado State, also pointed out the significance of a matchup that features two black head coaches.
“It holds a lot of weight,” Norvell said. “I’m really proud to be a part of that.”
Sanders agreed.
“It’s just tremendous getting this opportunity and allowing the nation to see that we are more than capable of doing a sufficient and a great job,” Sanders said. “I’m happy that he pointed that out. I have the utmost respect for him.”
— with AP
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