Skip Bayless Sparks Controversy With Race Comment on Deion Sanders’ Team

NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders has elevated the national profile of the Colorado Buffaloes since taking over as head coach in late 2022. As the team’s popularity has grown, so have questions about why that is. Veteran sports commentator Skip Bayless in particular posed a question about the team’s appeal to certain demographics. 

“Is Deion’s Colorado now Black America’s Team?” Bayless wrote on social media on Sept. 26, noting he was discussing the topic on his FOX Sports show Undisputed. The post sparked polarizing reactions among his followers as they wondered if it was his place to lump together all Black Americans’ sports preferences. 

Is Deion’s Colorado now Black America’s Team? Now on @undisputed

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 26, 2023

The tweet was in reference to a discussion on Undisputed, where Bayless was quoting an article by Black USA Today sports writer Mike Freeman, although that context was missing from his post, making it seem to be his own words.

During the discussion, co-hosts Richard Sherman and Keyshawn Johnson said that while there are elements of truth to the statement, the idea that the team has become the official squad of “Black America” wasn’t simply because of Sanders’ race, instead attributing it to Sanders’ respected status and coaching prowess. 

“I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s become Black America’s team,” Johnson stated. “I think it’s become wherever Deion Sanders was going to coach was going to be supported by us as African Americans.” 

There was some quick backlash to Bayless’ post from those in the football world. Carlos Locklyn, the running backs coach for the University of Oregon, responded to the post with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr @RealSkipBayless https://t.co/CHquqXh0jJ

— WalkOn Coach (@Locklyn33) September 26, 2023

Former Oregon player and current sports radio host George Wrighster responded to Bayless’ question with a plain question of his own: “Does Black America have 1 voice?” Later that day, he shared a clip breaking down just why Sanders’ team has become so beloved in recent months and acknowledged that questions like Bayless’ come from a deeper place. “There has been backlash to the Deion Sanders hype and a lot of people think it’s RACISM, but it’s actually about the fear and jealousy caused by college football’s scarcity,” he wrote. 

Does Black America have 1 voice? https://t.co/pdufM7oP7m

— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) September 26, 2023

There has been backlash to the Deion Sanders hype and a lot of people think it’s RACISM, but it’s actually about the fear and jealousy caused by college football’s scarcity.https://t.co/3yK4wTAvLc pic.twitter.com/v7JWWJ5K1Z

— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) September 26, 2023

The Buffaloes’ record so far this season stands at 3-1. The team is set to take on the 4-0 USC Trojans on Sept. 30.