Breaking: Coach Prime Benches 3 Persistent Anthem Kneelers, Says ‘I Do Not Want Activists’

In a fiery move that has ignited national controversy, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, has reportedly benched three players for repeatedly kneeling during the national anthem — declaring in no uncertain terms:

“I do not want activists. I want athletes.”

The decision, made just weeks before the start of the new college football season, has drawn swift reactions from both sides of the political aisle, with some hailing it as a return to discipline and others calling it an attack on free expression.

Coach Prime Draws a Line

During a press conference following a scrimmage, Coach Prime addressed the move head-on when asked why three key players were noticeably absent from the first-string lineup:

“You can protest on your own time. You can kneel on the street, on your social media, or in your living room. But when you’re wearing this uniform — you represent this team, this school, and this country,” Sanders said.

He added bluntly:

“I respect their right to protest. But I also have the right to decide who plays.”

Who Was Benched?

While Coach Prime did not name the players directly, insiders close to the Buffaloes program say two defensive starters and one offensive lineman were quietly moved down the depth chart after repeatedly choosing to kneel during the national anthem in team walkthroughs and scrimmages.

One of the benched players reportedly shared a cryptic post on Instagram:

“Standing up for what I believe cost me a spot. I’ll still sleep just fine.”

Campus Reacts: Divide on the Sidelines

Reactions at the University of Colorado Boulder have been sharply divided.

Some students and alumni have praised Sanders’ decision, saying it reinforces team unity and puts focus back on football.

“Coach Prime is right. This isn’t the time or place for politics,” said one longtime donor. “This is about the game — not grandstanding.”

Others, however, are deeply concerned about what they see as an attempt to silence players and punish peaceful expression.

“These players weren’t disrespecting the team — they were making a statement about injustice,” said a student leader from the Black Student Alliance. “Benching them sends the wrong message.”

National Spotlight Hits Boulder

It didn’t take long for the story to explode beyond campus.

Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU and Players Coalition, have issued statements criticizing Sanders’ move as “a dangerous precedent in collegiate athletics.”

Meanwhile, conservative voices have rushed to defend Coach Prime, praising his “courage to say what many are too afraid to” and calling his leadership “refreshing in a woke-saturated sports world.”

Fox News featured the story on primetime, while #CoachPrime trended for hours on X (formerly Twitter), with users divided over whether Sanders is a principled leader or an overreaching disciplinarian.

Coach Prime: “I Stand for the Flag”

In his final remarks on the matter, Sanders doubled down:

“I’m not anti-protest. I’m not anti-Black. I’m not anti-anything. But I am pro-team, pro-discipline, and pro-America.”

“I kneel to God. I stand for the flag. That’s how I was raised — and that’s how my team will operate.”

What’s Next for the Benched Players?

It remains unclear whether the players will be reinstated or if their benching will become permanent as the season progresses. Insiders say the message from Sanders is clear: you’re free to make a statement — but not without consequences.

Final Thought: Football or Free Speech?

As the Buffaloes gear up for one of the most anticipated seasons in years, Coach Prime’s decision has put him at the center of a growing cultural crossroads: Where should the line be drawn between personal convictions and team expectations?

One thing’s certain — this season won’t just be about wins and losses on the field. The battle over identity, patriotism, and expression is already underway.