University of Colorado Boulder

Deion Sanders Scolds Colorado Players For Not Joining Practice Fight

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NFL legend Deion Sanders has big plans for the Colorado Buffaloes. After three years leading Jackson State, Sanders left to revamp a Colorado program that had won just nine games over the past three seasons. Over 70 players have left the program, with nearly 40 joining via the transfer portal. This has led to some criticism of Sanders’ behavior from other members of the NCAA coaching world. However, the hype has never been higher for the Colorado program. Perhaps as a result of this, discussions as to whether Colorado is going to leave the ever-ailing Pac-12 have begun to circulate.

However, the program is still yet to play a game under Sanders. It’s a moment that everyone is eagerly anticipating. Despite the hype, the run-up to their season opener against TCU has been tough for Sanders. Sanders has been dealing with circulation issues in his left foot for a number of years. After having two toes amputated in 2021, surgeons could worry that the persisting problem could cost him the whole foot. Furthermore, he underwent emergency surgery last month to deal with blood clots in his groin and leg. However, that didn’t stop Sanders get heated at a recent training session.

Read More: Colorado predicted to finish 11th in final Pac-12 season

Sanders Preaches Team Unity

During an August 15 training session at Folsom Field, tensions briefly flared. Safety Jaden Milliner-Jones threw running back Anthony Hankerson to the ground after a short-yardage touchdown run. This led to tackle Gerad Christian-Litchenhan squaring off with Milliner-Jones and soon an all-out brawl was in full swing. The ruckus was eventually broken up by assistant coaches. However, Coach Sanders had a surprising take on the whole situation.

“I seen two of you walking off, over there, and you’ve got a key teammate fighting,” Sanders said. “Where they do that at? Where they do that at? If one fights, we all fight,” Sanders continued. “You understand that? I don’t want to see you all walking off when somebody’s fighting. Never again!” It’s a bold take from the coach. Coaches usually instruct their players to avoid fighting. However, for Coach Prime, it’s an all-or-nothing deal when it comes to team unity. As mentioned, Colorado kick off their first season under the Hall of Famer with a September 2 visit to TCU.

Read More: Colorado confirm return to the Big 12 in 2024

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Deion Sanders First Spring Game Set To Break Records

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Colorado has yet to play a game in the 2023 college football season, but it’s already one of the game’s hottest programs. That’s thanks to the sensational hiring of Deion “Primetime” Sanders as head coach. Sanders was named head coach in December 2022 after three incredibly successful seasons with Jackson State. Colorado is coming off a 1-11 2022 season and, excluding the shortened 2020 season, hasn’t posted a winning record since 2016.

Sanders turned things around almost immediately. He encouraged players to enter the transfer portal. He brought in the school’s best-ever recruiting class and took big-name players from the portal. Demand for tickets became so intense, long-term boosters were often left without one. Sanders makes bold moves for Colorado as the Pac-12 reaches a crossroads, namely in the impending loss of UCLA and USC. All of Coach Prime’s work will be tested come the start of the season but early signs already highlight the energy in Colorado.

Sanders’ First Spring Game Breaks Records

The first look at Sanders’ new Buffaloes squad will come at the annual Spring Game on April 22. However, unlike previous editions of the annual intra-team scrimmage, a few things have changed. The game will be aired nationally on ESPN. It will be the only Spring Game to air on ESPN’s primary channel and one of only two to air on ESPN’s main channels. Furthermore, the 2023 Spring Game has shattered Colorado records. The game has sold out for the first time in program history. The 45,000+ expected attendance destroys the previous record of 17,800. Additionally, 2023’s expected attendance is higher than the last nine Spring Games combined.

Sanders has taken Colorado from the laughing stock of the Pac-12 to a legitimate threat to the status quo. Colorado was once a dominant football force, winning a National Championship in 1990. Sanders has made it clear that he wants to return the school to its glory and made the moves to kickstart the process. Speaking to ESPN about the game, Sanders set the tone in no certain terms. “I can’t wait for the spring game, really looking forward to it, because I want to see the difference in the atmosphere and the feeling and the spirit of everything,” Sanders said.

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