Joel Klatt loves Colorado. He’s not just a former Buffs quarterback—he’s been one of the loudest voices supporting Coach Prime and the program’s resurgence. But even Klatt has to draw the line somewhere, and CU retiring Shedeur Sanders’ No. 2 and Travis Hunter’s No. 12? That’s where he pumps the brakes.
On the show First Things First, Klatt didn’t hold back.
“Not a good look,” he said bluntly. And honestly? He’s not wrong.
Look, what Shedeur and Travis did was remarkable. Just two years ago, the Buffs were a joke—1-11 and getting blown out weekly. Fast-forward to 2024: Colorado wins 9 games in its first Big 12 season, finishes ranked, and produces a Heisman winner in Hunter and a likely first-round QB in Sanders. That’s a program-shifting turnaround.
But does that warrant retiring their numbers now? Klatt argues no—and he’s not doing it out of bitterness or disrespect. His concern is that it cheapens the honor.
“There’s a precedent,” he pointed out, referencing Rashaan Salaam, the last Buff to have his number retired. Salaam won the Heisman in 1994. Even legends like Kordell Stewart don’t have that distinction.
Retiring Hunter’s number makes more sense—he also won the Heisman, played both ways, and truly had a historic season. But Shedeur? Klatt said, if that jersey had a different name on the back, would this still be happening?
I don't think Klatt’s being salty. He’s giving a real opinion.
But honestly, would Coach Prime even allow anyone to wear the number 2 going forward anyway?
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