Paul Finebaum suggests in the Deion Sanders debate that Stephen A. Smith return his HBCU degree

In a heated debate over Deion Sanders’ recent criticism of the media, Paul Finebaum questioned Stephen A. Smith’s defense of the Colorado coach and even suggested he give back his HBCU degree. The panel discussed Sanders’ recent comments at a press conference in which he claimed college football reporters are jealous of players who receive NIL money.

“The landscape of football has changed,” Sanders said. “You used to never attack college players. Now they make more money than all of you. And some of you are jealous and envious of that, so you attack. It used to be pretty quiet for a college player because he’s an amateur. Remember that, guys? Now it’s pretty tough, you can attack them all you want.”

He continued: “When you attack, attack, attack, these guys are sensitive. They’ve never been attacked before. They haven’t been through what a grown man has to go through – what I’ve been going through with all of you for years – they haven’t been through that. So it is what it is.”

At First Take, Finebaum criticized Sanders’ comments and even went so far as to accuse him of gaslighting.

“Deion was just gaslighting here. Really unbecoming of his stature and status. He knows that’s not true. The people who cover college football have been vociferously demanding more autonomy for players for years. So they can make more money, so they can stop being treated the way they’ve always been treated. For him to say that is just specious. It’s baseless and frankly it looks to me like he’s living in an alternate universe. Because that’s just not true.

Finebaum also criticized Sanders’ use of the word “slander.”

“And to use the word ‘slander’? That’s so far out of the question, because the majority of the media praise these players. They don’t badmouth them… I honestly have no idea how he came up with that. I think it’s desperation and completely lacking in character for him to attack the media, which hasn’t even attacked his players.”

Smith defended Sanders a bit before criticizing him, saying that his estrangement from members of the media may have led to criticism being directed at his son, Sheduer Sanders. But Finebaum felt that Smith shielded his criticism of Sanders because of their personal relationship.

“I’m really shocked that you’re trying to split the baby here, Stephen A. I mean, you know better. Deion Sanders is completely wrong here. There’s no justification for him to castigate the entire media for something that never happened. And if he can say it, then go for it, but don’t sound like one of those politicians who comes here and blames the media. That doesn’t work in college football.”

After a back and forth between Finebaum and Smith, Finebaum mistakenly identified Howard University as Smith’s alma mater and suggested that he return his degree.

“Stephen A., when you go to your alma mater on Friday, you may want to take back your degree because… I have always had and still have great respect for you as a journalist, but you go to incredible lengths to defend Deion Sanders.”

Smith immediately corrected Finebaum, saying he graduated from Winston-Salem State University and First Take will take place the Friday before the Truth & Service Classic at Howard University. Finebaum joked that Howard might award him an honorary degree, and Smith said he had already received several honorary degrees and would be honored.

Smith appeared to take the comment in stride, but Finebaum casually criticized Smith’s journalistic credentials for what he perceived as his relentless defense of Sanders.