Colorado Buffaloes to Honor Bill McCartney with Statue
The University of Colorado Boulder has announced that it will erect a statue of former football coach Bill McCartney outside Folsom Field. The statue is slated to be unveiled at the conclusion of the 2025 season, marking a tribute to McCartney’s significant contributions to the Buffaloes football program.
Legacy of Bill McCartney
Coaching the Buffaloes from 1982 to 1994, McCartney achieved an impressive record of 93 wins, 55 losses, and 5 ties. His tenure is highlighted by leading Colorado to its only national championship in football in 1990. The announcement of the statue comes in the wake of McCartney’s passing in January, making it a posthumous honor.
Coach Deion Sanders’ Reflection
At a recent event surrounding Colorado’s spring game, current head coach Deion Sanders expressed his thoughts on honoring McCartney’s legacy. While acknowledging the planned statue, Sanders raised a poignant question regarding the timing of such tributes. He emphasized the importance of recognizing individuals while they are alive to appreciate the honor being bestowed upon them.
“Why we waiting, man? Why we wait? Wouldn’t we have wanted him to see? To be involved in it. To feel it. To feel the love, the respect, the appreciation,” Sanders questioned. “Why we wait? See that’s the kind of junk that you gotta run with.”
Addressing the Delay in Recognition
Sanders pointed out that, although the statue’s development has taken two years, it still falls short of allowing McCartney to be part of the celebration. He also referenced other Buffalo legends, such as Rashaan Salaam, who did not receive honors until after their deaths. His remarks challenged the institution’s approach to recognizing its history.
“Give people the flowers while they can enjoy ’em and they can smell ’em,” Sanders implored. “This ain’t that no more. Let’s stop. And I’m saying it because I want him to see that. He can’t see that.”
Commitment to Current Players
Coach Sanders has demonstrated his commitment to recognizing current athletes as well. The upcoming season will see the retirement of jersey numbers for Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, following less than a year after they left the program. Despite criticism regarding the timing of these tributes, Sanders’ passionate call for timely recognition of achievements offers context for his decisions.
Future Honors for Colorado Legends
As discussions continue surrounding the honoring of past players, attention has turned to notable figures like Kordell Stewart, whose number has yet to be immortalized at Folsom Field. With Sanders’ emphasis on timely tributes, there is hope that more of Colorado’s football legends will receive the recognition they deserve while they can still appreciate it.
As the Buffaloes prepare for the upcoming season, the conversation around honoring past and present legends will likely impact how the program acknowledges its storied history.