Buffs Beat

Deion Sanders, Asante Samuel Reignite Social Media Beef

Colorado Buffaloes coach and NFL Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders had social media feud over defensive back technique with former four-time Pro Bowl corner Asante Samuel on Friday

Harrison Simeon

Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders calls in a play in the first quarter against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field.
Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders calls in a play in the first quarter against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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A social media debate began after Colorado Buffaloes coach and NFL Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders traded blows via X with former first-team All-Pro defensive back Asante Samuel on Friday.

The beef stemmed from a recent Sanders interview on NFL Network at Big 12 Pro Day, where "Coach Prime" took a lighthearted dig at the "T-step," a footwork technique for cornerbacks.

"If one of my players do that, I'm ripping his facemask off," Sanders joked.

Samuel took exception to these remarks, quoting the video twice over and pointing out the importance of teaching the technique despite Sanders's status as one of the NFL's all-time greatest defensive players.

The former New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons cornerback notably linked his defensive back development course "The Art of the Interception" in the more cordial of the two posts, but Samuel took a more mocking tone in the second quote, prompting a response from Sanders.

Many were quick to point out the likely origins of "Tell them what this really about sir," in Sanders' response. In 2011, Sanders was asked about Samuel's chances of wearing a gold jacket, to which he said Samuel had a good career, but one that was not worthy of the NFL Hall of Fame.

Samuel was quick to snap back at these comments, calling Sanders a "hater."

In 2020, the feud bubbled back to the surface. Sanders again expressed criticism in the T-step, to which Samuel took more subtle shots at Sanders, claiming he lacked technique and that his game-breaking athleticism was heavy-handed in his Hall of Fame consensus.

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"It's not a debate pimp, it's the facts! The guy who criticizes the technique didn't have any technique. He was a great athlete and was just faster than everyone else. Don't be fooled," wrote Samuel on social media in March 2020.

Flash forward five years, and Samuel has continued a tirade that certainly backs up his X banner, bio and self-appointed nickname, reading "Say what needs to be said," "Professional S*** Talker." and "T-step King." He presented a stat graphic implying that he had a career on a similar level to Sanders.

These stats are accurate but lack the context that made Sanders a consensus Hall of Famer in his position. Sanders played a lockdown man-to-man coverage style that often caused opposing quarterbacks to avoid targeting his side of the field, while Samuel was superb in zone coverage.

Sanders had 94 passes defended in his career and had a 56.4 interception percentage. Samuel defended 164 passes in his career to 51 interceptions, a 31.1 percentage, proving Sanders to be the superior ball hawk.

So, what is a T-step, after all?

Deion Sanders Falcons
Nov 14, 1993; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons defensive back Deion Sanders (21) in action against the Los Angeles Rams at Fulton County Stadium. / RVR Photos-Imagn Images

The technique involves opening up one's hips to aid a change in direction and drive out of a backpedal, involving an awkward-looking but effective step in the shape of a "T." As opposed to a "bicycle step," where the corner's motion is more direct and fluid, the T-step helps cornerbacks make up for physical deficiencies and is used more in zone coverage.

The strategy is where Samuel made his money, and while he's not far off in his assertion that Sanders's all-time great athletic profile helped him not need it, both strategies are proven to work with enough coaching. In Sanders's case, longtime Florida State Seminoles defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews showed him the way.

Public opinion is clear that Sanders had a better career than Samuel, and the disgruntled corner may have wanted to capitalize on the engagement driven by "Coach Prime's" earlier quote. However, the debate over the superior cornerback technique may last until the end of time.

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Harrison Simeon
HARRISON SIMEON

Harrison Simeon is a beat writer for Colorado Buffaloes On SI. Formerly, he was a writer for Colorado Buffaloes Wire of the USA TODAY Sports network and freelance utility for FOX Sports, working at venues such as Empower Field at Mile High Stadium and Folsom Field. He is finishing his journalism degree at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he has passionately covered football, basketball, and other school programs through its student-run sports media organization, Sko Buffs Sports. As its Associate Producer, he has traveled to six states to cover events such as the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl, the 2024 Pac-12 women’s basketball tournament, and the 2025 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship. He also captained the organization’s exponential growth in membership and on social media, where his posts have been featured on ESPN and Bleacher Report. While with SI, he interns at the Boulder Daily Camera, one of Colorado’s most revered newspapers. He is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana.

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