The ongoing drama surrounding the jersey retirements at Colorado football has finally elicited a response from a Buffs legend, and it’s one many fans were waiting for.
Darian Hagan, who helped lead CU to a national championship in 1990 and finished fifth in the Heisman voting the year prior, has officially weighed in on the university’s controversial decision to retire the jersey numbers of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Speaking with USA Today, Hagan shared his thoughts: “It should not be at the discretion of the athletic director and the head coach. Head coaches come, head coaches go. ADs come, and ADs go.”
Hagan’s No. 3 jersey, once a symbol of Buffs greatness on Folsom Field, is still active today. In fact, new quarterback Kaidon Salter will wear it this fall. Meanwhile, the numbers of Hunter and Sanders—players who spent less than two seasons at CU—are quickly being retired. This move has stirred frustration among many longtime fans, particularly those who feel that a more traditional process should be followed.
Hagan pointed out that there used to be a policy in place—a waiting period and a voting process—that honored the history of the program and ensured the decision held proper significance. “That was shocking news to me,” Hagan said. “It was hard to stomach.”
While Hagan’s frustration is understandable, Coach Prime offered a different perspective. During his post-spring game press conference, Deion Sanders referenced the recent passing of Coach Bill McCartney—who led Colorado to its only national title—and the delayed statue unveiling for McCartney, as well as the posthumous jersey retirement for Rashaan Salaam. “Why we wait, man?” Coach Prime asked.
In today’s fast-paced, instant-gratification world, Sanders has a point. We have quick access to almost everything—UberEats, Amazon Prime—but when it comes to honoring legends, we often wait until they’re gone. This isn’t about disrespecting the past; it’s about celebrating greatness while those greats are still here to witness it. Sanders is challenging traditions and creating a new narrative on how we honor excellence.
Both sides hold valid perspectives. Hagan’s legacy is undeniable, but Coach Prime’s approach to honoring greatness in the present could set a new trend for how we view these iconic moments in college football history. Hopefully, this opens the door for more jersey retirements and a renewed focus on recognizing other Buffs legends while they’re still around to enjoy the recognition.