Deion Sanders sends message addressing the suspects in locker room theft at Rose Bowl

After Colorado’s 28-16 loss to UCLA on Oct. 28, the Buffaloes not only suffered a loss, but a robbery. During the game, thieves snuck into the team’s locker room and stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry.

On Sunday, the Pasadena Police confirmed the suspects tied to the theft were high school recruits on an official visit to UCLA. During a press conference on Tuesday, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders addressed the peculiar situation.

“Let’s not crucify and punish these high school kids,” Sanders said. “Whatever the punishment that comes along with it, alright, let that be that, community service or whatever it is. But, let’s not abort the rest of their opportunities and lives because of a mistake. Because, if we were to really do a roll-call at the age of 17 to 18 in here, I’m sure everybody would tip out of here with their head down like we’re in church.

“Let’s make sure that those kids atone for what transpired — but they don’t lose an opportunity to change their lives. They’re kids. They made a stupid, dumb, idiotic mistake. Guess what? When I was 17 or 18, so did I. So did you. I’m praying for those kids. It was very unfortunate that we were on the other end of that.”

Sanders’ response on Tuesday was far more measured than his tune immediately following the incident when he called for the Rose Bowl to reimburse his players. Sanders claims he is unaware whether the jewelry has been returned to his players.

Deion Sanders defends his players

Instead of attacking the thieves, Sanders reprimanded fans who blamed his players for the robbery.

“Some fans were stupid enough to say, ‘Well, they shouldn’t wear that jewelry.’ OK, well, you shouldn’t drive your car to work then because somebody will steal that,” Sanders said. “That’s just how stupid that statement was.

“Let’s just pray for those kids, man, and hopefully and prayerfully they’ll get another opportunity. What’s probably going to happen is they’re going to name them and expose who they are. Then, all hell breaks loose because we are a society that likes to make a mockery of people that have made mistakes in life when all of us have.”

Colorado has had no shortage of mistakes on the field lately. The team has lost six of its last seven games, most recently falling in heartbreaking 34-31 fashion to Arizona. With forgiveness in his heart, Sanders will look to save Colorado from its tailspin with a win against Washington State on Saturday.