Mike Florio criticizes Deion Sanders for building a ‘personality cult’ at Colorado as Coach Prime bans a Denver Post columnist

Mike Florio didn't hold back from criticizing Deion Sanders for his treatment of local media and surpassing those being critical of him.

Mike Florio criticizes Deion Sanders for building a ‘personality cult’ at Colorado as Coach Prime bans a Denver Post columnist

Deion Sanders and Mike Florio (Via Imago/Bleacher Report)

Coach Prime is hitting the headlines more than usual these days. It all started when the Denver Post received a controversial message from the University of Colorado informing that Deion Sanders would no longer engage with columnist Sean Keeler. But Mike Florio doesn’t seem to find his reasons quite relevant.

Considering the tone of vocabulary Keeler has used for Sanders over time with words like “false prophet,” “Planet Prime,” “Deposition Deion,” and “circus,” he has decided to engage with “mutually agreed upon media.”

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However, Florio seems to view it from a different perspective and doesn’t hold back from criticizing Coach Prime for his treatment of local media and the tendency to surpass those being critical of him. The Pro Football Talk writer claimed that Sanders has built a “cult personality” rather than a football program.

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It really is a bunch of crap. Deion doesn’t want to be scrutinized, by anyone. He thinks the media covering the team should support the program, too. Without expressing any criticism or asking any tough questions. Even when criticism or tough questions are required. It dates back to his time at Jackson State. Deion has tried to build a personality cult, not a football program.
Mike Florio wrote

Having said so, Florio firmly believes that the Denver Post wouldn’t encourage this since the University of Colorado is a public university, and thus, it does not have the power to exclude any major media outlets.

Deion Sanders’ media strategy under scrutiny

In his assertive writing on the Pro Football Talk, Florio argued that reporters like Keeler, who do not see eye-to-eye with Coach Prime, bring forward a different perspective to the audience and not merely write what Sanders would like. They dare to ask hard questions and inquire about management errors, which is important to present a clear picture to the audience.

Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders (via IMAGO)

Interestingly, Florio isn’t the only one criticizing Sanders for his friction with local media. Earlier, a Denver sports anchor called out him for intimidating the local reporters.

This doesn’t seem to be the right start for the 2024 season, but if Coach Prime managed to have a successful run with his son in the lead, his conflict with the local media wouldn’t be a biting story. However, if they have a repeat of last season or worse, his criticism and scrutiny will only escalate and might become unmanageable in the future.

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