Jay Norvell expresses no love lost for Deion Sanders: 'I don't have any feelings for Deion Sanders'

For all the hubbub and verbal barbs around the Colorado–Colorado State rivalry nearly a year ago, Rams coach Jay Norvell isn’t hung up on his counterpart with the Buffaloes, Deion Sanders.

Speaking on the topic at Mountain West Media Days in Las Vegas a day after Sanders and Co. rolled in with the Big 12, Norvell explained that he doesn’t really think about the rival. And there certainly doesn’t seem to be some secret friendship behind the scenes.

“I don’t have any feelings for Deion Sanders, I really don’t,” Norvell said, according to the Denver Gazette. “I don’t think about Deion Sanders unless you guys ask me a question about him. No, nothing’s changed.”

The frosty relationship — or lack thereof — between Sanders and Norvell stems from the lead up to the Rocky Mountain Showdown in 2023. As Colorado was the hot story to start the season, Norvell chastised Sanders without mentioning him by name and said “When I talk to grown ups, I take my hat and my sunglasses off” during his weekly radio show.

Sanders spun that into motivation for the Colorado team, spurring the animosity for the showdown in Boulder in what he claimed was now “personal.” Colorado won, 43-35, in comeback fashion in overtime.

But no matter what Norvell or Sanders feel about the other, the Colorado State head coach would like to see the rivalry continue, both for the players in each program and the people in the state of Colorado.

“It’s been a special game for a long time to the people of Colorado,” Norvell said. “I do wish we played them every year because it’s a rivalry game. I think it’s something the fans love and the players love to play in those kind of games. We get to get ‘em in our stadium this year. It should be a great atmosphere. People are excited about the game, we’re excited about the game. It should be an incredible night.”

Sanders hyped up the atmosphere, energy in Boulder

The on-field results haven’t been elite yet, but there’s no doubt that there is a ton of excitement around the Colorado football program under Sanders.

Colorado has once again sold out season tickets, and the Buffaloes are must-see TV, whether they’re winning or losing.

Deion Sanders was asked at Big 12 Media Days about the fan support Colorado has received and the excitement that’s surrounding the program.

“It’s crazy. You can feel the energy through the television. You may not have been there, but they’ve watched us play on television. Boulder is unbelievable, man,” Sanders said. “The fans, the support, the love, the passion. Not just for the people in Boulder, but for the people who fly in to migrate to our games, I’m forever grateful and thankful.”