Colorado State’s Jay Norvell Takes Thinly Veiled Jab at Colorado’s Deion Sanders

The intrastate rivalry between the Rams and Buffaloes is heating up.

Saturday’s matchup between No. 18 Colorado and Colorado State already was going to draw plenty of attention due to the early success of the Buffaloes and the high profile of new coach Deion Sanders.

But CSU coach Jay Norvell is adding some sizzle to the intrastate rivalry by taking a swipe at Coach Prime’s public persona. On his weekly radio show, Norvell shared some remarks he made during interviews with ESPN in which he highlighted a difference between him and Sanders. 

“I sat down with ESPN today,” Norvell said Wednesday night, per Sports Illustrated’s Fan Nation. “I don’t care if they hear it in Boulder. I told them, I took my hat off and I took my glasses off. I said when I talk to grown-ups, I take my hat off and my glasses off. That’s what my mother taught me.” 

MORE SHOTS AT COACH PRIME: Colorado State Head Coach Jay Norvell Takes SHOTS at Deion Sanders and Colorado “When I talk to grownups, I take my hat and glasses off, that’s what my mother taught me” #CUBuffs pic.twitter.com/IWFWkVKqsS

— Tommy Talk (@TommyTalkRadio) September 14, 2023

Those who follow Sanders, especially recently, are familiar with his preference for wearing sunglasses and a cap on the sidelines and during on-camera interviews and press conferences. 

Norvell added that he and Rams players have developed “a chip on their shoulder” after being asked so many questions about Colorado by ESPN, which is televising Saturday night’s game. 

Deion Sanders’s preference for a hat and sunglasses drew the ire of Colorado State coach Jay Norvell :: (AP Photo/LM Otero)

But the Buffaloes also have found motivation from what they perceive as insults. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders said last week’s matchup with Nebraska became “personal” to him when Huskers coach Matt Rhule and his players held an on-field meeting on the midfield CU logo before the game. Norvell’s remarks certainly could be viewed by Colorado players and coaches as disrespectful. 

Colorado State visits Folsom Field as a 23.5-point underdog to Colorado. Saturday’s matchup in Boulder is scheduled for at 10 p.m. ET.