Colorado Legend Fauria Cuts Ties with Program After Shedeur Sanders Jersey Retirement

Fauria cites Deion Sanders' priorities as reason for withdrawing support from the Buffaloes football team.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Christian Fauria, a former Colorado tight end who won a national championship with the Buffaloes, has announced that he is no longer supporting the program. Fauria cited his disapproval of head coach Deion Sanders' priorities, particularly the decision to retire Shedeur Sanders' jersey number, which Fauria characterized as a "vanity project." Fauria's announcement comes on the heels of the departure of highly-touted offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, who transferred to LSU.

Why it matters

Fauria's withdrawal of support is a significant blow to the Colorado football program, which is already facing pressure to balance its high-profile branding under Deion Sanders with on-field results. The loss of a celebrated alumnus like Fauria, coupled with the transfer of a talented player like Seaton, underscores the challenges the Buffaloes are facing as they try to rebuild under Sanders' leadership.

The details

Fauria, who won a national championship with Colorado, explained to USA Today and NBC Sports that he finds Deion Sanders' priorities off-putting and that he wants no part of the "twisted loyalty" often demanded by Sanders' supporters. Fauria specifically cited the retirement of Shedeur Sanders' jersey number as a "vanity project" that led him to officially stop supporting the program in April 2025. Fauria also noted that any criticism directed at the head coach is often unfairly labeled as "hate," even when the traits being questioned are self-serving or self-promoting.

  • Fauria officially stopped supporting the Colorado program in April 2025.
  • Jordan Seaton, a highly-touted offensive tackle, transferred from Colorado to LSU in 2026.

The players

Christian Fauria

A former tight end who won a national championship with Colorado.

Deion Sanders

The current head coach of the Colorado football team.

Shedeur Sanders

The son of Deion Sanders, whose jersey number was retired by Colorado.

Jordan Seaton

A former offensive tackle at Colorado who transferred to LSU in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I wish the Buffaloes to succeed, but I find the priorities of head coach Deion Sanders off-putting.”

— Christian Fauria, Former Colorado Tight End (USA Today, NBC Sports)

“The retirement of Shedeur Sanders' jersey number was a vanity project, and I want no part of the twisted loyalty often demanded by Sanders supporters.”

— Christian Fauria, Former Colorado Tight End (USA Today, NBC Sports)

The takeaway

Fauria's withdrawal of support highlights the challenges facing the Colorado football program under Deion Sanders' leadership. As the team struggles to balance its high-profile branding with on-field results, the loss of a celebrated alumnus like Fauria, coupled with the transfer of a talented player like Seaton, underscores the need for the Buffaloes to address the concerns of their supporters and focus on building a sustainable, successful program.