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For a savvy superstar who’s been in the media spotlight since the 1980s, I can’t believe how badly Deion Sanders and Colorado have bungled their dispute with Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler. A thin-skinned Coach Prime royally decreed he won’t take questions from Keeler anymore because of the writer’s “personal attacks.” ESPN’s Paul Finebaum ripped Sanders as a “bully” and a “hypocrite.” That was spot-on. This is bush-league stuff from Sanders, who should know better.
During ESPN’s Bristol Media Day, I asked legendary former Alabama coach Nick Saban for his take on the conflict. Saban has a track record of jousting with reporters at press conferences. Or telling former ESPN sideline reporter Maria Taylor to “quit asking” reasonable questions about which Crimson Tide quarterback would start a game.
But Saban said there’s rarely any upside for coaches to ban local or national media. Saban noted that he endured Finebaum’s criticism of the Crimson Tide for years. But he didn’t let it affect him or how he coached because he knew Finebaum was doing his job.
“As a coach, you’re probably much better taking that approach, than to go the other way. I think it just turns more and more negative as you go—and I don’t think that’s very helpful,” Saban noted.
Sanders’ Colorado team won its opener against North Dakota state 31-26, a closer outcome than expected. Sanders was predictably outspoken. “Let’s move on from that. I’m going to try my best to hold back my anger. But we got a ‘W’ so I’m happy,” he told reporters.
Jason Kelce, the former Eagles star turned analyst on Monday Night Countdown, wasn’t aware of Keeler’s specific comments. But Sanders’s reaction only empowered Keeler, he noted. “It also gives power to that person. If somebody’s affecting you, you’ve empowered them.”
Saban has transitioned seamlessly to his role on College GameDay so far. The 72-year-old drew a laugh when he admitted he warned a Guinness-swilling Pat McAfee to “slow down” his beer consumption in Dublin. “My coaching point didn’t hit home,” cracked Saban.
What’s Next for Pat McAfee?
Meanwhile, McAfee said “there’s a good chance” Aaron Rodgers will resume his weekly appearances on The Pat McAfee Show. Rodgers’s baseless comments about Jimmy Kimmel and the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein sparked an intra-Disney war last year between the two on-air talents. Kimmel threatened legal action, but the feud eventually died down. Now it looks like it’s back to business between McAfee and Rodgers. I’m glad because the interviews are great TV. (ESPN declined comment on whether it’s placing any restrictions on McAfee’s Rodgers interviews.)
By now, you’ve heard about McAfee’s epic broadside against the media on media day. Rather than being dismayed, the ESPN brass seemed unfazed, if not elated. Technically, McAfee is a contractor who licenses his show to ESPN, not an employee, so there’s not much the media giant can do to him discipline-wise. That large chip on his shoulder is part of his appeal. As long as McAfee continues to draw the young viewers ESPN craves, it’ll continue to give him a lot of runway.
