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Colorado State Coach Reveals Safety Henry Blackburn Subjected to Death Threats Following Hit on Travis Hunter

by Michael Nguyen
10 comments
Henry Blackburn Death Threats

Jay Norvell, the head coach of the Colorado State football team, disclosed on Monday that senior safety Henry Blackburn has been the recipient of death threats in the wake of his controversial late hit on Travis Hunter, a standout player for the Colorado Buffaloes.

In the first quarter of Saturday’s Rocky Mountain Showdown, Blackburn was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after delivering a hit to Hunter’s midsection on a deep pass. This penalty was one among a total of 17 infractions committed by the Rams, who ultimately lost the closely contested match 43-35 in double overtime against Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes in front of a full stadium.

Norvell stated that Blackburn, a native of Boulder, Colorado, and his family have had their residential address exposed on social media platforms. Law enforcement agencies have become involved in the situation due to the grave nature of the threats received.

“It is unfortunate that this is the reality we live in. This is merely a game of football, and it should not escalate to such extremes,” Norvell remarked during his press briefing. “We neither coach nor condone that style of play. I have been in frequent communication with Henry about the incident.”

“He should be focusing on his academics and preparing for upcoming football games rather than being concerned about such unacceptable distractions,” Norvell added.

Deion Sanders indicated post-game that Travis Hunter, a key player for the 19th-ranked Buffaloes, may be sidelined for several weeks. Hunter will therefore be unavailable for the upcoming matches against No. 10 Oregon and No. 5 Southern Cal.

“Our primary concern is his well-being. His health is our top priority,” Sanders noted.

Hunter’s absence is a significant setback for the Buffaloes as he has been a pivotal player on both offense and defense, even entering the Heisman Trophy conversations. So far this season, Hunter has one interception and nine tackles on defense, along with 16 receptions for 213 yards as a receiver from quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Hunter attempted to continue playing after the hit but was eventually ruled out and subsequently hospitalized.

After reviewing the contentious play, Norvell stated, “These kinds of plays sometimes occur in the fast-paced nature of football. It was a split-second decision on a deep ball, not a premeditated act. There has been much focus on this play, but it is a play that happens in the sport.”

He continued, “We wish Travis a speedy recovery. No one wishes to see any player suffer an injury.”

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders expressed his disapproval of Blackburn’s hit and confronted him on the field.

“The incident affected me deeply. Losing a reliable teammate like Travis is significant. Knowing the dedication he has shown in preparation, it’s distressing,” Shedeur Sanders said, who led the Buffaloes on a game-tying 98-yard touchdown drive and threw for touchdowns in both overtimes.

The incident also caught the attention of multiple professional athletes, including LeBron James of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, who criticized the hit on social media as “blatant and uncalled for.”

NFL Hall of Famer Champ Bailey, who himself played both sides of the ball at Georgia, commented, “Playing both offense and defense makes you a marked man. Your constant presence on the field makes you a target.”


Contributions to this report were made by AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Henry Blackburn Death Threats

What happened to Colorado State safety Henry Blackburn?

Henry Blackburn, a senior safety for Colorado State, has been receiving death threats following a late hit he executed on Travis Hunter, a player from the Colorado Buffaloes, during a game.

Who is Travis Hunter and how is he involved?

Travis Hunter is a two-way star for the Colorado Buffaloes football team. He was the recipient of a late hit from Henry Blackburn during the Rocky Mountain Showdown. The hit resulted in an injury that sidelined him for multiple upcoming games.

Have authorities been involved in the case?

Yes, law enforcement agencies have been involved due to the seriousness of the death threats against Henry Blackburn. His residential address was also posted on social media platforms, escalating the gravity of the situation.

What was the official stance of Colorado State’s head coach Jay Norvell?

Jay Norvell, the head coach of Colorado State, stated that neither he nor his coaching staff advocate or train for such types of plays. He expressed that football is just a game and should not escalate to the point of personal threats.

What is the impact of Travis Hunter’s absence on the Colorado Buffaloes?

Travis Hunter is a key player for the 19th-ranked Buffaloes and his absence is a significant setback for the team. He has been involved in both offensive and defensive plays, and has even entered Heisman Trophy conversations this season.

What have other athletes said about the incident?

Several professional athletes, including NBA star LeBron James and NFL Hall of Famer Champ Bailey, have weighed in on social media. They criticized the late hit and raised concerns about sportsmanship and player safety in college football.

Was the late hit a significant focus during the game?

Yes, the late hit was one of 17 penalties committed by the Rams and resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Henry Blackburn. The incident became a focal point of discussions around the match, even catching the attention of several professional athletes.

How has the incident affected Henry Blackburn personally?

According to Coach Jay Norvell, Blackburn should be focusing on academics and football but has instead been distracted by the death threats and the involvement of law enforcement, which he described as “unacceptable distractions.”

Will Travis Hunter be playing in upcoming games?

According to Deion Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, Travis Hunter is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. He will be missing upcoming games against No. 10 Oregon and No. 5 Southern Cal.

What is being done to address the issue?

While specifics are not disclosed, law enforcement agencies are involved, and both universities are likely reviewing the incident. Public figures in sports have also brought attention to the matter, sparking a broader discussion on player safety and sportsmanship.

More about Henry Blackburn Death Threats

  • Colorado State Football Official News
  • Rocky Mountain Showdown Game Recap
  • Statement from Colorado State Head Coach Jay Norvell
  • Injury Update on Colorado Buffaloes’ Travis Hunter
  • LeBron James’ Social Media Commentary on the Incident
  • NFL Hall of Famer Champ Bailey’s Remarks
  • College Football Player Safety Concerns
  • Law Enforcement’s Role in Sports-related Threats

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10 comments

BettyM September 19, 2023 - 4:17 am

Henry Blackburn’s actions were not right, but death threats? That’s too far.

Reply
PolicyWonk September 19, 2023 - 4:55 am

Maybe it’s time to reassess the rules and penalties in college football. Situations like this are bad for everyone involved.

Reply
RealTalk September 19, 2023 - 6:09 am

how about we focus on the health of the injured player instead of hating on someone? Travis Hunter’s health shld be the priority right now.

Reply
LegalEagle September 19, 2023 - 7:28 am

posting someone’s address online? that’s doxxing and its illegal. Hope the authorities catch these people.

Reply
JohnDoe99 September 19, 2023 - 10:50 am

Wow, this is insane! Can’t believe a football game has led to death threats. What’s wrong with people?

Reply
ConcernedParent September 19, 2023 - 11:02 am

As a mom, I can’t even imagine what Blackburn’s and Hunter’s families are going through. This is supposed to be a sport, not life or death.

Reply
SportsGuru September 19, 2023 - 4:37 pm

Unsportsmanlike conduct for sure, but let’s not forget it’s a contact sport. Things happen in the heat of the moment, no reason to take it this far.

Reply
FootballFanatic September 19, 2023 - 7:56 pm

really sad state of affairs. It’s just a game people, no need to go threatenin someone’s life over it.

Reply
JusticeSeeker September 19, 2023 - 10:31 pm

Good that the police are involved. That should deter any more threats, and hopefully they find who did this.

Reply
CryptoInvestor September 19, 2023 - 11:47 pm

This is a liability nightmare for both universities. They better take this seriously if they don’t want lawsuits.

Reply

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