Paul Finebaum is eating his words a bit when it comes to his criticism of Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.
On Tuesday’s “First Take,” the SEC Network personality sat down with Stephen A. Smith to discuss the Buffs’ 48-21 win over UCF and ended up backpedaling like CU’s coach in his prime.
“First of all, Stephen A., you’re close to being right,” Finebaum said in response to Stephen A.’s claim that Sanders should be considered for CFB’s Coach of the Year.
Paul Finebaum addresses his previous criticism of Deion Sanders (and Stephen A. Smith): “I should have kept my mouth shut a couple weeks ago. But I came after you, I came after Prime and here I am, scraping the egg off of my face.” pic.twitter.com/WeuR2R2GU4
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 1, 2024
“This is where I say to you that I should have kept my mouth shut a couple weeks ago. But I came after you, I came after Prime and here I am, scraping the egg off of my face. And I’m glad to be doing it because this is a fascinating story,” he admitted.
“And what happened last week down in Florida was really the first time I think since Prime has been at Colorado that this looked like a legitimate football team,” Finebaum concluded. “They didn’t beat a great team, but they beat a good team… if they can continue on this path — I’m not issuing qualifiers, I’m just saying if — then Stephen A., I think your story about Coach of the Year is dead on.”
As one could imagine, Finebaum’s apology was music to Smith’s ears. And he made sure to remind the audience that it wasn’t too long ago that the “Mouth of the South” had called for him to return his journalism degree for defending Coach Prime.
Deion’s team isn’t out of the water yet. But if they can take care of business against No. 20 Kansas State at home this weekend, it would go a long way in further silencing their doubters.
Related: Paul Finebaum Says Deion Sanders Is Going To Leave Colorado