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Deion Sanders' kind-hearted gesture has unexpectedly ignited a debate online. The Colorado Buffaloes head coach recently gifted a pair of limited-edition cleats to long snapper Kameron Hawkins for his birthday, sparking mixed reactions from fans.
The incident occurred on September 6th, when Sanders shared a video wishing Hawkins a happy birthday.
In the clip, Sanders generously asked, "What do you want?" Hawkins initially responded modestly, "Nothing," but Sanders persisted, insisting that Hawkins request something tangible. After some playful back-and-forth, Hawkins pointed to Sanders' new Nike cleats. Without hesitation, Sanders called for his equipment manager to bring a pair of size 11.5 white Nike Air Max DT cleats, which retail for $170. Hawkins gratefully accepted the gift, expressing his thanks.
Deion Sanders controversy
While the moment seemed heartwarming, it quickly sparked an online controversy. Social media s began questioning whether this special gift was fair or appropriate. One Instagram jokingly commented, "I want 80 grand," while others voiced concerns about inequality. "Don't everyone on the team supposed to get the cleats?" asked one , with others echoing the sentiment. The gifted cleats are a special edition, not widely available to all players, which fueled further questions about favoritism within the team.
Typically, new players receive standard equipment like knee pads and basic cleats, but the exclusive Nike cleats Sanders gave Hawkins have only been seen on a few, including Sanders' own children. The gift raised further concerns about team fairness, with questions like, "Aren't the guys on the team supposed to be provided equipment?" surfacing in the comments.
Although Sanders' gesture was meant to uplift Hawkins, the controversy highlights the potential issues of selective gifting in a team setting. His act of generosity, while personal, has sparked a larger conversation about favoritism and equality among players.