Dakich Defends Deion Sanders Amid Press Conference Controversy

OutKick's Dan Dakich has come to the defense of Colorado Buffaloes football coach Deion Sanders, who has been embroiled in a firestorm over his decision to bar a columnist from asking questions at press conferences. Dakich believes Sanders is justified in his actions, arguing that reporters should not be allowed to make personal attacks against coaches.

OutKick's Dan Dakich has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Colorado Buffaloes football coach Deion Sanders' decision to prohibit a columnist from asking questions at press conferences. Dakich, a former basketball coach at Indiana, defended Sanders on OutKick's "Don't @ Me" show, saying that those who have worked in sports understand exactly what Sanders is doing.

Dakich Defends Deion Sanders Amid Press Conference Controversy

Dakich argued that reporters should not be allowed to make personal attacks against coaches. He said that while criticism is acceptable, reporters should avoid name-calling and other forms of personal attacks.

"Criticize me all you want. Tell me we made a bad call on 3rd and 4. Whatever. But don't get personal, continually, continually, continually. Don't call me names," Dakich said.

Dakich Defends Deion Sanders Amid Press Conference Controversy

Dakich also responded to the criticism Sanders received from panelists on ESPN's "Around the Horn."

"The only one who could stop the man from doing his job is The Denver Post or the man himself. And the man himself stopped himself from getting to ask Deion Sanders questions by simply taking things to a level of personal that reporters always b-----, whine and moan about, but then they do it," Dakich said.

Dakich Defends Deion Sanders Amid Press Conference Controversy

"So, somebody is finally standing up to the fat middle-aged White reporter. Finally, someone is standing up and holding the fat, middle-aged White reporter accountable, and there's nobody in the world that dislikes it less to be held accountable than the fat, middle-aged, White, self-important columnist at a newspaper. See Gregg Doyel."

Dakich's comments come amid a firestorm of criticism directed at Sanders for his decision to ban Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler from asking questions at press conferences. Sanders and the program have cited Keeler's past coverage of the program as the reason for the ban. Keeler is still permitted to attend football-related activities, but he is not allowed to ask questions.

Dakich Defends Deion Sanders Amid Press Conference Controversy

Sanders has defended his decision, saying that Keeler has made personal attacks against him in the past. He also said that he is not trying to silence Keeler, but rather to protect himself and his players from further attacks.

"I'm not silencing him at all. I'm just asking him to be respectful. And if he can't be respectful, then he can't ask me questions," Sanders said.

The controversy has sparked a debate about the relationship between the media and coaches. Some argue that Sanders is justified in his actions, while others believe that he is infringing on Keeler's First Amendment rights.

The National Sports Media Association has called on Sanders to reconsider his decision, saying that it "undermines the public's right to know." The Freedom of the Press Foundation has also condemned Sanders' actions, calling them "a clear violation of the First Amendment."

Sanders has said that he is not backing down from his decision. He said that he is standing up for himself and his players, and he will not allow anyone to disrespect them.

"I'm not going to let anybody disrespect me or my players. I'm not going to let anybody try to tear down what we're building here," Sanders said.