BOULDER — Coach Prime had a firm and direct message to fans and social-media posters who’ve thrown death threats at CSU Rams safety Travis Blackburn: Stop.

“Whatever it was it does not constitute that he should be receiving death threats,” Buffs football coach Deion Sanders said at his weekly news conference Tuesday. “He does not deserve a death threat over a game. At the end of the day, this is a game.”

Blackburn was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct late in the first quarter of the Rocky Mountain Showdown after striking two-way star Travis Hunter in the chest while the latter was chasing down an incomplete pass from quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Blackburn was on deep coverage on the play in question and Hunter did not appear to see the CSU defender before contact was made. The Jackson State transfer crumpled in a heap along the visitors’ sideline. Blackburn was immediately confronted by Shedeur Sanders before officials broke the two up.

The defender, who played his prep football at Boulder’s Fairview High School, was not considered to have led with his head nor to have targeted Hunter above the shoulders and remained in the game, which the Buffs won in double overtime, 43-35.

CSU coach Jay Norvell said Monday that Blackburn and his family had received death threats during and after the Showdown.

“And, I mean, it’s just sad. It’s sad that that’s the state of the world we live in,” Norvell said. “I mean, it’s a football game. Let’s not make it more than that. We don’t want anybody to get hurt. (We) don’t coach that kind of football.”

Related Articles

College Sports |

CU Buffs notes: Shilo Sanders named Pac-12 defensive player of week

College Sports |

Source:: The Denver Post