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David Bakhtiari has never been shy when it comes to protecting the legacy of his alma mater, the University of Colorado. While the former Packers offensive tackle is still rehabbing from five knee surgeries and hunting for a team in 2025, he's already making his voice heard-this time, not in the huddle, but on social media.
Colorado's decision to retire Shedeur Sanders' No. 2 jersey alongside Travis Hunter's No. 12 ahead of the spring game.
Bakhtiari offers his take
The former All-Pro lineman took issue not with honoring the Sanders-Hunter duo, but with how it was done-particularly with the history behind No. 2 being seemingly glossed over. Bakhtiari didn't mince words, posting on X: "You all trying to be slick thinking you can just sneak that one in there."
It was a jab laced with frustration-not against Sanders, but at Colorado's athletic department. For Bakhtiari, there's another No. 2 who should have been acknowledged first: Deon Figures.
In a follow-up post, Bakhtiari laid out exactly why: "1990 national champion, Jim Thorpe Award, Jack Tatum Award, Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year, Consensus All-American, first-round pick, six years in the NFL, College Football Hall of Fame."
That's not just an impressive list of accolades and for Bakhtiari it's non-negotiable that such a legacy should be part of the conversation when it comes to retiring a jersey.
"All love, just wanted to give clarity," Bakhtiari later added, acknowledging that his comments weren't an attack on Shedeur or the current team.
It's a debate that's sparked a firestorm among Buffs fans online. Under the university's post announcing the jersey retirements, fans quickly echoed Bakhtiari's sentiment.
Many felt the decision to retire Sanders' number-despite playing only two seasons in Boulder-was premature, especially without any mention of Deon Figures, one of the greatest defensive backs in college football history.