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Deion Sanders, the Hall of Famer turned head coach for the Colorado Buffaloes, is no stranger to social media. Whether he's promoting his program or hyping up his sons and star players like Travis Hunter, Sanders is constantly in the spotlight. But this time, Sanders found himself caught in a viral internet trap, believing an unverified rumor about Utah quarterback Cam Rising.
On Thursday, a fake report started circulating on Twitter claiming that Rising, a veteran seventh-year quarterback for Utah, was facing a serious medical issue that would sideline him for an extended period. Despite the injury being relatively minor and only expected to keep Rising out for a week, the misleading post spread like wildfire. The rumor even reached Sanders, who was quick to react, unfortunately, without fact-checking.
In his haste, Sanders took to Twitter and shared his concern, believing that Rising had contracted tetanus. The bizarre and completely false report had gone viral, fooling even seasoned sports personalities like Sanders. Realizing his mistake, Sanders quickly posted an apology on Twitter, likely feeling a bit embarrassed by the situation.
Social media mishap ahead of crucial game
Sanders' focus should have been on preparing for Colorado's game against in-state rival Colorado State, especially after a disappointing 28-10 loss to Nebraska. However, the viral nature of the fake news about Rising distracted him. Despite being known for his motivational leadership, Sanders had a rare social media misstep.
The tweet that caught Sanders' attention falsely reported a more serious condition than Rising's actual injury, which is far from career-threatening. Rising, a key player for Utah, is expected to recover and return to the field soon. Sanders, however, wasn't the only one caught up in the internet frenzy, but his high profile made the error even more noticeable.
Colorado's season at a crucial juncture
As Sanders moves on from this social media gaffe, his attention must shift to Colorado's challenges. The Buffaloes are desperate to bounce back from their loss to Nebraska and regain momentum before heading into conference play. They face Colorado State in a crucial road game, one that could set the tone for the remainder of their season.
While this social media blunder may be a minor hiccup in Sanders' otherwise successful transition to coaching, it serves as a reminder that even the most seasoned figures in sports can fall for internet misinformation.