"I think he did the right thing": Paul Finebaum credits Shedeur Sanders' post-game reaction that sparked controversy after Week 3
Paul Finebaum backed Shedeur Sanders’ controversial decision to skip the post-game handshake with Colorado State quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi after Colorado's 28-9 victory on Saturday.
The moment stirred debate after Week 3 but during an appearance on ESPN’s "First Take," host Molly Qerim asked Finebaum if Sanders’ refusal was an issue.
Finebaum defended Sanders, pointing to the smack talk from the opposing QB leading up to the game, he later agreed that Sanders’ choice was understandable.
“In a perfect world, everybody should sing Kumbaya,” Finebaum said. “But that’s not what happened here: the quarterback trash-talked all week, and Shedeur shut his mouth up. And it’s over. I think he did the right thing.”
First Take co-host Shannon Sharpe echoed Finebaum's thoughts:
“Hey! good luck wish you the best moving forward but not after you talk crazy to me I ain't shaking your hand."
“I’m going to be in your face, I’m going to be talking the whole game. First of all, because you brought it to me, so you sent for me and I didn’t send for you. I’m going to send you away disappointed. So, I have no problems with what Shedeur did."
However, Qerim suggested a different approach, believing that shaking hands would show maturity, even after a heated game.
Also Read: "I'm human": Shedeur Sanders justifies his post game trash talk with Colorado State QB after dominant win
Shedeur Sanders declined the post-game handshake with Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
Colorado's Shedeur Sanders made headlines when he refused to shake hands with Colorado State quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi after their game. As Fowler-Nicolosi extended his hand, Sanders pulled back and said:
"You were talking s--- on Instagram. Talking on Instagram. We handled our business. You can’t f--- with me." [Timestamp - 36:39].
Fowler-Nicolosi then walked away and said,
"Keep talking."
Earlier in the week, Fowler-Nicolosi had mentioned last year’s double-overtime battle:
"They came out with that attitude and thought it was going to be a cakewalk. They saw the reports, 27.5 points, or whatever it was, and they got a rude awakening real quick. And I think it goes to show that the hype, the media train, all that, it only gets you so far.”
"At the end of the day, you have to line up 11 guys against our 11 guys, and we’ll find out who wants it more, and we’ll see how far Instagram followers gets them."
Fowler-Nicolosi emphasized that it comes down to who wants it more on the field, not social media followers.
Despite the tension, Sanders and the Buffaloes let their performance do the talking. The star QB threw for 310 yards and four touchdowns, seemed they were more than ready for the challenge.
Also Read: “That’s just how it is”: Deion Sanders’ son Shedeur Sanders drops nonchalant comment on being wrongly portrayed by the media