BOULDER — Deion Sanders said he won’t hold a grudge against the four California high school students who are accused of stealing from the CU locker room at the Rose Bowl last month. And he’s hoping Buffs fans will do the same.
“Let’s not crucify and punish these high school kids,” Coach Prime said Tuesday during his weekly news conference at CU’s Champions Center.
“Let’s make sure those kids atone for what they did, but (make sure) they don’t lose an opportunity to change their lives. They’re kids.”
Police in Pasadena have identified four suspects, which USA Today reported as being prospective UCLA recruits, in the alleged theft of personal items such as jewelry from Buffs players and staffers that took place while CU was playing the Bruins on Oct. 28.
Names were not disclosed but police said the suspects were from Beaumont (Calif.) High School in Riverside County, 78 miles east of Pasadena.
The investigation is reportedly still ongoing. Some of the items stolen have been returned to the victims in question.
“They made a stupid, dumb, idiotic mistake,” Sanders said of the suspects. “Guess what? When I was 17, 18, so did I. So did you … let’s pray for those kids.”
While Coach Prime embraced amnesty for those involved with the Rose Bowl incident, he deflected questions regarding his interest in other high-profile football openings.
Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Boise State and San Diego State saw their head coaching positions open up this week, while Michigan State and Northwestern are currently under interim coaches after off-field scandals led to the exits of Mel Tucker — CU’s coach in 2019 — and Pat Fitzergald, respectively. Longtime ESPN host Stephen A. Smith recently stumped for Sanders to replace Jimbo Fisher at A&M.
“I mean, I want to win. I want to win a game,” Sanders said Tuesday of Smith’s suggestion.
“So (do) you think I really do sit down and think about that kind of stuff? Like, what strikes (you) about that, about myself, that you guys really think I sit down and say, ‘Oh, yeah, Stephen A. Yeah.’ Hey, come on. Come on. I’m good. Like, we’ve got to win.”
The Buffs (4-6, 1-6 Pac-12) will attempt to snap a four-game losing streak at similarly slumping Washington State (4-6, 1-6) at 8:30 p.m. Friday.
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