The University of Colorado’s football team found itself in hot water after a controversial social media post during the lead-up to their game against the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orange County, Florida. The incident unfolded against the backdrop of the catastrophic Hurricane Helene, which has wreaked havoc across multiple states, including Florida.
The now-deleted post featured a computer-designed graphic of safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig standing on a Florida beach with water up to his knees. The image included a sign in the background that read “Beware of Sharks,” referencing Silmon-Craig’s nickname, “Shark.” The post, intended to build excitement for the game, instead sparked outrage due to its insensitivity given the recent devastation caused by the hurricane.
As reported by the Chicago Tribune, Hurricane Helene has resulted in a death toll nearing 40 and an estimated $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage. Flooding, one of the most destructive forces of the hurricane, began along Florida’s coast before Helene made landfall. Rapidly rising waters were reported as far south as Fort Myers on the state’s Gulf Coast.
Despite the destruction, Colorado’s social media team posted the graphic on Friday, just 24 hours before the game. The post was quickly removed after backlash from the public. The Colorado football program has since been silent on the matter, with Fox News Digital reaching out for comment but receiving no response at the time of publication.
NBC reported that the hurricane made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane, unleashing a potentially “unsurvivable” 20-foot storm surge, catastrophic winds, and flooding. The National Hurricane Center has warned of significant risks of life-threatening storm surges along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and the Big Bend region due to the hurricane’s massive size.
In light of the storm, the game between Colorado and UCF was moved inland to Orlando. Colorado’s head coach, Deion Sanders, addressed the weather concerns earlier in the week, stating that the team was preparing as if it was not going to rain. Sanders even joked during a press conference, saying, “I’m one of those good weathermen… 30% (chance of rain) is 70% (chance) it won’t. Let’s do drills that say, ‘It won’t rain.'”
The game will mark the first-ever meeting between Colorado and UCF. The Knights, who became a Division I program in 1996 and joined the Big 12 in 2023, are eager to showcase their skills against the Buffaloes.
As the teams prepare for their match, the focus remains on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The National Weather Service in Tallahassee issued a rare extreme wind warning for several counties in the Big Bend ahead of the hurricane’s approach. FOX Weather’s Ian Oliver reported that the surge quickly flooded streets around St. Pete Beach Thursday evening, with high tide several hours away.
The situation remains dire as emergency crews race to rescue people trapped in flooded homes. The monster hurricane has left millions without power in Florida and neighboring states, with some areas still facing the threat of further flooding.
For now, the University of Colorado’s football team will have to navigate not only the challenges on the field but also the repercussions of their ill-timed social media post.
