Coach Prime’s Buffs Historic Game Was Much More Than Just A Win For Colorado

An emotional Rick George, athletic director of University of Colorado, found Coach Deion Sanders on the field to embrace him for a tight hug as Colorado football defeated TCU 45 – 42 in a historic season opening win. Early December 2022 Colorado announced that Deion ‘Prime Time’ Sanders would become the new head coach of their football program securing a deal that would equate to $29.5 million over five years; with $5.5 million being paid in the first year – the highest in program history, per Tony Cosolo, following previous Head Coach Karl Dorrell’s contract. “We don’t have the money yet, but I know we’ll have it, so I’m not worried about that piece.” AD Rick George shared shortly after the hiring of Colorado football’s new coach when asked how they [Colorado] would come up with the money for Deion Sanders contract per Brian Howell. Early April of this year, the University announced that season tickets had been sold out for the first time since 1996. Their sold out spring game was also broadcasted late April and warranted over half a million viewers. But the Prime Effect doesn’t stop there. After the hiring of Sanders, the Buffs raised over $28 million in donations for fiscal year 2023; trumphing the $20.2 million raised last fiscal year. Did someone say it’s “Prime Time, baby”?!

This Buffs win was so much more than just a win for Colorado football but HBCU [Historically Black College/University] football. This may be the bigger picture Coach Prime was already ahead of as the controversy arose when he announced his departure from Jackson State University – an HBCU located in Jackson, MI. A lot of HBCU’s are not only often underfunded but also often overlooked. In a press conference last December after a tough loss in the Celebration Bowl, his last game at JSU, Coach Prime gave a passionate closing press conference speech. “It’s bigger than that [football]. It’s about increasing enrollment. It’s about the safety of students. It’s about going to the next level, not just in football. I’d love to go to another [HBCU] conference, is the rest of the school ready?” Sanders shared after first expressing how everything he set out to do at JSU was accomplished and how he wanted to do so much more than just football as he called himself a change agent. Which has proven to be very true.  Anyone that knows Coach Prime knows that he is very passionate about not only coaching but also has a high passion for the youth. He has continued to push for change that has more often than not, gone overly-criticized and often no acknowledgement for what himself, his staff, and most importantly his sons have accomplished.

During his tenure at JSU he was able to secure 2 SWAC conference championships, winning records year over year, recruit 4 & 5 stars for the program, and more. With Coach Prime having an incredible run at JSU his eldest son, Deion Sanders Jr., was there to capture it all. Sanders Jr. has been cultivating social media and influencing how other sport teams/sport social media sites share their ‘sports culture’ since joining the team as media with his dad and brothers. One of the 5 star recruits mentioned earlier included 2022 #1 football recruit Travis Hunter. Hunter’s signing to Jackson State was a monumental moment in not only football but most importantly HBCU football. He is the first #1 recruit to sign to an HBCU since ESPN began their power rankings in 2006; which was unheard of at the time for a top recruit. Over the weekend, he also had a phenomenal opening game against TCU while securing his name in Heisman Trophy conversations. Hunter also plays both sides of the ball; meaning he plays offense (wide receiver) and defense (cornerback) – he started at both positions in Colorado’s win over TCU this past weekend. His stats included 3 tackles, 119 receiving yards, 11 catches and an interception in the 3rd quarter that stunned fans across the country. Guess what he is? An HBCU transfer. Not only is Hunter an HBCU transfer but both Deion Sanders’s sons Shedeur Sanders  and Shilo Sanders are HBCU transfers from Jackson State University too. 

Starting Colorado Quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been making an impact for a while. When he was at Jackson State he was named SWAC Freshman of the Year, SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, and awarded the Jerry Rice Award becoming the first FCS/HBCU athlete to receive the honor. As the leader and quarterback of the team, he helped lead his team to dominance in the SWAC conference under the coaching leadership of his dad and JSU staff. As mentioned earlier, for those back to back SWAC conference wins, guess who was starting quarterback? It doesn’t stop there. After the July 1, 2021 rule change:  the NCAA approved a policy where student athletes could monetize off of their name, image, and likeness through NIL deals. While at JSU, Shedeur became the first HBCU athlete to sign with Gatorade under the new NIL rule. Aside from the remarkable history he made; Shedeur made more history with the win over TCU. Securing 4 touchdowns, 38/47 C/ATT (Completions/Attempts), and over 500 passing yards – he set a new school history record in not only his debut game for Colorado but also as an HBCU transfer doing so. Post game, many were saying both Travis and Shedeur’s name in Heisman Trophy conversations. Not too bad for HBCU transfers – right?

It was many that  shared their doubts for Coach Prime, the Sanders sons, and overall the trajectory of where the new staff brought in by Coach Prime would go. Many said QB Shedeur Sanders was only good because he was in an HBCU conference or how Coach Prime only dominated because he coached for an HBCU. After a losing 1-11 season at Colorado last year with their previous HC, including a tough loss to TCU in their home opener one year ago, this moment over the weekend should speak volume. Let’s talk more about HBCU football! Coach Prime had an overall goal of changing the conversation and narrative for HBCUs, especially in sports, and this was surely a solid start that says a great deal about Coach Prime and HBCU sports. Let’s start more conversations about it.