Deion Sanders: ‘Let’s Not Crucify’ UCLA Recruits Who Allegedly Stole from Colorado

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders isn’t holding a grudge against the high school students alleged to have stolen items from the Buffaloes locker room during an Oct. 28 matchup against UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

“Let’s not crucify and punish these high school kids. … Let’s not abort the rest of their opportunities and lives because of a mistake,” Sanders told reporters Tuesday. “… Let’s make sure those kids atone for what transpired, whether it’s community service or whatever it is, but they don’t lose the opportunities to change their lives. They are kids. They made a stupid, dumb, idiotic mistake. When I was 17, 18, so did I. All right? So did you.”

Pasadena Police identified prospective UCLA recruits from Beaumont High School in Riverside County, California, as suspects in the theft of jewelry, headphones, cash and other items from the Colorado locker room.

However, UCLA said the suspects were not on an official recruiting visit when the alleged theft occurred.

“As this is still an ongoing investigation, we cannot confirm anything other than that the individuals in question were not on an official visit,” UCLA said in a statement to USA Today.

Additionally, the Beaumont Unified School District said in a statement that the students were not at the game as part of a school-sponsored event:

“We are disappointed and disheartened to hear of the alleged involvement of Beaumont High School students in the incident at the UCLA-Colorado football game on October 28. We strive to promote strong character and integrity in our students, and the alleged actions do not represent our core values as a school, District, and community. While the students were not at the UCLA-Colorado football game as part of a school-sponsored event, the District is cooperating fully with Pasadena Police Department’s investigation.”

In a “Well Off Media” video posted to YouTube after the game, players were captured discussing the items they were missing. One player said he lost a chain he recently purchased.

“I just got mine, bro. I had the jewelry box and everything. They took it out of my jewelry box,” the player said.

Outside linebacker Jordan Domineck was also among the players to have jewelry stolen:

Earlier this month, Sanders called for the NCAA to reimburse the team for the stolen items.

“Our kids got robbed during the game last week,” Sanders said at the time, per ESPN’s Mark Schlabach. “I think that’s a travesty. I would expect the NCAA to do something about that. … This is the Rose Bowl. They said the granddaddy of ’em all, right? I’m sure granddaddy had some money. Grandpa should have some money to give these kids.”

Some of the stolen items have since been returned to players, according to police, but other items remain missing. An investigation into the theft remains ongoing.

The Buffaloes are preparing for a matchup against Washington State on Friday before closing out the season against No. 16 Utah on Nov. 25. The team has lost six of its last seven games to drop to 4-6 on the year.