In a momentous ceremony on April 19 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter received high honors as their numbers were officially retired. This news came just prior to the Black and Gold Spring Game. It honored their record setting and athletic collegiate careers, but most importantly focused on the impact they had to the University of Colorado’s football program.
Yet, Sanders and Hunter have each, in their own ways, made extraordinary contributions to the field. In 2022, Sanders threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns while completing 74% of his passes. After two successful seasons at Jackson State, he is now a member of the Colorado Buffaloes. His leadership and confidence have become more contagious, widely praised by coaches and teammates on the record. T.C. Taylor, Sanders’ former coach at Jackson State, emphasized his quarterback’s abilities:
“Any time you have a quarterback that has that kind of confidence, that makes the rest of the team know that we’re going to be alright and we’ve got the right guy leading.” – T.C. Taylor
With a terrific statistical resume and on-field performance, Sanders still didn’t get picked within the first round of this year’s NFL draft. This was especially disappointing for many who thought him a consensus top 5 pick.
Travis Hunter experienced a contrasting outcome on draft day. The playmaking two-way player was the second overall pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars. As a receiver on offense, Hunter had an outstanding final college season, catching 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 TDs. He left his stamp on defense, making 35 tackles, posting 11 pass defenses and four interceptions. His combination of versatility and talent has been turning heads all throughout his impressive collegiate career.
The Jaguars made a bold move in their draft strategy by trading away their number one cornerback and wide receiver to secure Hunter’s selection, indicating their belief in his potential to make an immediate impact on the team.
“I think I just fit the culture in Florida. I’m from Florida, so I think my place is that I fit the culture. I was super-excited.” – Travis Hunter
So, while Hunter had reason to celebrate his selection, the NFL draft presented a dire situation for many others. Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has run into issues with his recovery from injury. He tore his right Achilles tendon in Week 7 of the 2021 season. In January, he encountered even greater difficulties when he re-injured it. As a consequence, Watson will be forced to sit out most of that 2025 season to come.
Hunter took his pick in what was one of the most historic drafts ever. During the 2023 NFL Draft, Cam Ward was the only Black quarterback ever selected in the first round. The choice to take Hunter is part of an overall transformation of the NFL’s landscape. Teams seem more focused than ever on valuing talent and versatility.
With Sanders on that journey is an indomitable spirit of determination and resilience. Even if he didn’t hear his name called on day one, the sky is the limit for his possibilities. T.C. Taylor praised Sanders’s character and skill set, highlighting his toughness and knowledge of the game:
As both athletes do step onto their professional paths, the hallmark of their commitment to excellence will surely follow them. Their harsh retired numbers are symbols of their tireless effort and devotion. They have all undoubtedly left their imprint on their teams and communities that will last long after them.
“That’s what Shedeur has done. His time here [at Jackson State] and in Colorado… A lot of people don’t realize how tough he is [and] how knowledgeable he is as a quarterback.” – T.C. Taylor
As both athletes embark on their respective professional journeys, their commitment to excellence continues to shine through. The retirement of their numbers serves as a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the lasting impact they have had on their teams and communities.
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