Deion Sanders says $50,000 'silence offer' was just a joke

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 03:02 · Archive

Colorado coach Deion Sanders said claims he offered $50,000 to silence critics were made in jest.

Christopher Neely, a YouTube content creator known as 'Uncle Neely' who has worked with Deion Sanders since his time at Jackson State, made the claim during a roundtable internet programme. Neely said that for the most part, people who attack Sanders would not be making the money they make if he were not there to attack, which is why Sanders had told some of them: 'Hey man, let's just do this. I'll give you $50,000 to not mention my name for a year.' Neely added that nobody had accepted the offer.

When asked about the claim at a Tuesday press conference, Sanders initially appeared confused and needed Neely to provide context. The Colorado coach then said the comments were a joke. He elaborated that he had meant hypothetically: 'I would love to give you money and not mention my name, and I want to see how far that goes. That's what we were saying. Some people live on your name.'

Sanders emphasised that he would never actually offer money to silence critics. 'I don't give a darn what you say about me,' he said. He noted that criticism was nothing new to him, having faced it throughout his NFL playing career before it continued into his coaching role.

The comments came after Colorado suffered a 57-24 loss to Oklahoma State, extending the Buffaloes' losing streak to five games heading into their matchup against Kansas State.

How it is being reported

• Deion Sanders says alleged $50,000 offer to silence critics was 'a joke' amid Colorado's strugglesDeion Sanders called the $50,000 offer to silence critics a joke, saying some people prosper off his name as Colorado's five-game skid continues.Fox News · 28 Oct, 02:46
• Red-faced Deion Sanders brushes off claim he offered $50,000 to silence his critics with NFL icon on the brink at ColoradoA YouTube content creator who's been with Sanders since he coached Jackson State, found himself in the spotlight for a comment he recently made on a roundtable internet program.Daily Mail Sport · 27 Oct, 20:00
• Deion Sanders confidant makes wild $50,000 claim in quest to silence criticsDeion Sanders has offered $50,000 to his critics "to not mention his name for a year" according to his close friend — and not one person has accepted.New York Post · 27 Oct, 19:37

In this story: Deion Sanders · Christopher Neely · Colorado · Oklahoma State · Kansas State

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