Deion Sanders, head coach of Colorado football, stated on Saturday that he remains unfazed by outside criticism, despite his decision to restrict a journalist who has been critical of him from asking questions.

While Sanders didn’t specifically comment on the issue with Keeler, he did share his views on general outside criticism.

“Honestly, it doesn’t bother me because it doesn’t impact my actions,” Sanders explained. “I don’t read articles or comments and think, ‘Oh, that will motivate me more.’ I’m driven regardless, but those comments serve to clarify where someone stands. It doesn’t inspire me; my background and my upbringing do. As a Black head coach in college football, those variables motivate me—it’s not about your words; it’s about what they reveal.”

Sanders’ Additional Remarks

A former Denver Post writer, now working for the Denver Gazette, posed a direct question to Sanders:

“If I ask a negative question, will that mean you won’t answer at all?”

“That sounds negative to me,” Sanders responded. “You’re assuming I will be negative. I’m not negative towards anyone here. I would ask you, ‘What’s the origin of that?’ I’m not inclined to hate. I come with love. If anyone here has interacted with me, they know I’m straightforward—it’s about positivity and joy. But when you show me your stance, I may need to adjust my approach and not resonate with your negativity.”

At 57, he emphasized, “My life is fulfilled. Your opinions or actions won’t change that.”

Colorado will no longer answer questions from a journalist who has criticized Deion Sanders

Previously, on August 9, Sanders told Keeler that he felt he was “always under attack.” Keeler had written pieces countering Sanders’ bold claims regarding his team, even labeling him as a “false prophet.”

Last season, Sanders’ record was 4-8, but he improved a team that had previously finished 1-11 before his arrival in December 2022.

Looking Ahead: Sanders on Upcoming Games

“Targeted? I’m not sure that’s the term,” he replied. “This is just part of my journey. You act as if it’s the first time I’ve faced challenges. I’ve been subjected to falsehoods, betrayal, and negativity. That’s a familiar tune to me. I’ve encountered this before, but as I grow older, I want to respond differently—understanding why people react as they do can be very beneficial.”

Keeler had previously offered to discuss matters with Sanders on August 9, but there’s no confirmation whether Sanders accepted.

In terms of game preparations, Sanders had few questions related to Thursday’s match, which will be aired on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET.

North Dakota State plays in a lower division, limited to 63 scholarship athletes, compared to the 85 allowed at major colleges. Last year, they reached the FCS semifinals with an impressive record of 11-4 and held a commendable 60-10 record over five seasons under former coach Matt Entz, who has since taken an assistant coaching position at Southern California. He has been succeeded by Tim Polasek, previously the offensive coordinator at Wyoming.

“This team will come ready,” said Sanders, emphasizing their preparedness and discipline.

This football season will be particularly significant for Sanders as it marks the final one for his sons, Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback, and Shilo Sanders, the safety, at Colorado. However, he has plans for the future.

“For me, it’s not an end, but a new beginning,” Deion Sanders remarked. “I’m just getting started with this college football journey.”