Deion Sanders accuses Obama of ‘playing political games’ by picking Arizona to beat Colorado
2024-10-19
Deion Sanders Calls Out Obama's Partisan Prediction: Buffaloes Prove Former President Wrong
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders expressed his admiration for former President Barack Obama, but he didn't hesitate to call out the political leader's partisan prediction about the Buffaloes' matchup against the Arizona Wildcats. In a surprising move, Obama had picked the Wildcats to beat Sanders' team, citing their recent winning streak. However, the Buffaloes proved the former president wrong, delivering a decisive 34-7 victory over their Pac-12 rivals.
During a speech in Tucson, Arizona, on the eve of the game, Obama claimed he had seen the Colorado buses when his plane landed and reminded the crowd of the Wildcats' two-game winning streak against the Buffaloes dating back to 2022. "I know Colorado got a couple good players, but I also know you guys have beaten them twice in a row," Obama said. "Don't bet against the Wildcats tomorrow."Sanders, however, was not impressed with the former president's comments. "I heard what he said. Mr. President, I heard what you said," Sanders told reporters after the game. "That's why I really don't get into politics, because politicians, they play the political game. He was here, and he had to play the political game."
Colorado's Dominant Performance and Sanders' Rebuttal
The Buffaloes proved Obama's prediction wrong, as they delivered a dominant performance, blowing out the Wildcats 34-7. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the coach's son, had a standout game, going 23-for-33 passing for 250 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while also adding a rushing touchdown.Sanders took particular issue with Obama's claim that his team only had "a couple good players." "We have two good players? We have more than two good players. But you were here, you had to support," Sanders said. "Mr. President, come on, man. You my man. I love you and appreciate you, but come on, dog."
The Political Implications and Sanders' Stance
The game had political implications, as Arizona is considered a key swing state in the upcoming election. Obama's presence in Tucson and his support for the Wildcats were seen as a strategic move to rally support for the Democratic party in the state.Sanders, however, made it clear that he tries to avoid getting involved in politics. "That's why I really don't get into politics, because politicians, they play the political game," he said. "He was here, and he had to play the political game."
The Broader Context and Sanders' Relationship with Obama
The exchange between Sanders and Obama came amid a broader context of political tensions and debates around the role of race and gender in politics. Earlier this week, Obama had addressed the vice president's dwindling support among Black voters, especially Black men, suggesting that some voters may not be supporting Harris because she is a woman.Despite the disagreement over the game prediction, Sanders expressed his admiration for Obama. "Mr. President, I heard what you said. That's why I really don't get into politics, because politicians, they play the political game. He was here, and he had to play the political game. But you my man. I love you and appreciate you, but come on, dog."The clash between the former NFL star and the former president highlights the complex interplay between sports, politics, and the ongoing debates around representation and partisanship in the public sphere.