The Deion Sanders phenomenon is currently taking the football world by storm. The rapid transformation of his Colorado University Football program has sparked raves reviews and harsh criticism.
Boy is this fun to watch!
Football fans are smitten. Especially in Colorado. TicketIQ shows tickets for Colorado University at an all time high. Colorado's Oct. 13 game against Stanford is currently the hottest remaining home game with the lowest secondary resale price at $693, per TicketIQ. Colorado's double-overtime victory against Colorado State, which ended in the early hours of Sunday in most of the country, drew 9.3 million viewers to make it the most-watched late night college football game ever on ESPN.
Colorado's double-overtime victory against Colorado State,drew 9.3 million viewers to make it the most-watched late-night college football game ever on ESPN.
Caring is the most important part of what we do
The University of Colorado is running out of football tickets in a hurry. On Thursday, CU announced that the Nov. 4 homecoming game against Oregon State at Folsom Field has been sold out, as fans continue to flock to see the 18th-ranked Buffs, led by first-year head coach Deion (PRIME) Sanders.
Folsom Field - Coach Prime's New Diggs
This place is magical. Just look at the images we found for you. The horseshoe shapped stadium sits in a gorgeous valley beneath towering, majestic mountains that dwarf the entire landscape. It's arguably one of the most impressive stadiums in all of college football and its where Coach Prime will call home. Poor Guy.
Five of the games at Folsom Field this season have been announced as sellouts, matching the single-season school record, set in 1993. That's been a hot talking point for Coach Prime. There are a limited number of tickets left for the sixth game, Nov. 11 against Arizona. Opened 99 years ago in 1924, the stadium runs in the traditional north–south configuration, opening to the north.
The CU athletic administration center, named after 1950s head coach Dal Ward, is located at the north end.
When opened in 1924, the horseshoe-shaped stadium had a capacity of 26,000; a major expansion in 1956 raised the height of the stadium, with a new seating capacity of 45,000. Keep in mind that the stadium is located on the campus of the University of Colorado. The removal of the running track in 1967 added six thousand seats; the track and field team relocated to Potts Field on the East Campus.
A sizable, six-level press box was added in 1968 to the top of the west side grandstand, directly in front of Balch Fieldhouse, the former home of the basketball team. Renovations continued in 1976 when the old, rickety wooden bleachers were replaced with aluminum ones, raising the capacity to 52,005.
PRIME TIME IS RIGHT NOW - BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT
The joy ride for Sanders and the University of Colorado could last for a while or could bust and implode overnight. Either way, the ride has been exhilarating. That's how Coach Prime has built his brand. Lets look back for a moment:
A Florida native, this football icon, renowned for his incredible athletic talent in baseball, football, and track, has been a household name for decades. Sanders, a former college star in baseball, track and of course football emerged as an NFL superstar who consistently delivered electrifying performances each Sunday. But e wasn't just about making jaw-dropping plays on the field. His magnetic personality, charisma, Hollywood connections, and experience in professional sports, made him a versatile figure who transitioned seamlessly from pro football player to rap artist, to reality TV star. However, what we may not have fully appreciated until recently is the brilliant mind behind the Deion Sanders brand. This transformation became evident when he assumed the head coaching role at Jackson State University in the HBCU Southwest Athletic Conference. Let's explore the journey of Deion Sanders, from football legend to coaching sensation, and how he has defied all odds to achieve success on and off the field.
From Sports Icon to hottest coach in the land (for now).
To get his full legacy of success at FSU alone, check out these stats:
Under head coach Bobby Bowden, Sanders was a two-time consensus All-American cornerback in 1987 and 1988, and a third-team All-American in 1986, intercepting 14 passes in his career, including three in bowl games, and managed to return one interception 100 yards for a touchdown, breaking Fred Biletnikoff's interception return record by one yard. He won the Jim Thorpe Award in 1988. He was also a standout punt returner for Florida State, leading the nation in 1988 with his punt return average, and breaking the school's record for career punt return yards. Sanders made an interception with five seconds left to seal Florida State's 13–7 win over Auburn in the 1989 Sugar Bowl during the 1988 postseason. Based on those accolades, his No. 2 jersey at Florida State was retired in 1995. He finished his career with 126 punt returns for 1,429 yards and three touchdowns, as well as 14 interceptions, returning them for 287 yards and three scores. At the time of his graduation, Sanders' 14 interceptions was the second highest total in school history. Bowden would later state that Sanders was his "measuring stick for athletic ability".
While playing baseball under head coach Mike Martin at Florida State, Sanders' batting average was .331 in 1986. He also compiled 27 stolen bases in 1987.
The Sanders Legacy
This legacy of football excellence has been a testament to Sanders' influence not only as a player but as a mentor and coach. It also demonstrated that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in the Sanders family when it comes to talent and dedication to the game. During his five years playing with the Falcons, Sanders scored 10 touchdowns (three defensive, three kick returns, two punt returns, and two receptions). He is the only Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee from his draft's top five picks to not spend his entire career with the team that selected him.
But it does not end there. Not even close. Deion, like the great Bo Jackson went to the top off baseball as well. Across his nine-year MLB career (641 appearances), Sanders led the sport in triples once (14 in 1992), was a combined .263 hitter and finished with a .982 fielding percentage. Sanders' 1992 World Series performance against the Toronto Blue Jays was one for the ages.
With ESPN's "First Take" on campus ahead of Colorado's matchup with Colorado St., Deion was asked the most difficult challenge he faced. His answer did not shock most baseball fans. "Hitting a baseball ain't no joke," he said. He revealed that hitting a baseball was harder than anything he has done in any sport...period. Well, its alot faster than a football for sure.
An inviting message from the Greater Miami and the Beaches
A Leap of Faith: Coaching at Colorado University
Deion Sanders' next career move was another risky one. He accepted the offer to coach at Colorado University, a program that had struggled in recent years and was one of the lowest-ranked teams in the Pac-12. Transitioning from an HBCU to one of the biggest stages in American college sports, with one of the toughest schedules in the country, was no small feat. However, Sanders embraced the challenge with his trademark swagger and cowboy hat, and the transformation began.
Deion Sanders' transition from football icon to college coach was a move that raised eyebrows across the sports world. Many questioned whether a man who had excelled as a player could replicate that success in a different role, one with more risks than rewards. But as Sanders himself stated, he was willing to bet on himself. Taking the reins at Jackson State University, he vowed to turn the program around, and he did just that. Within two years, with his sons by his side and a remarkable recruiting spree, Sanders led Jackson State to back-to-back championships in black college football. The team's transformation was remarkable, and it became evident that Sanders had what it took to coach at the college level, and perhaps even in the NFL.
A Remarkable Turnaround
What has unfolded before our eyes is nothing short of remarkable. A team that was considered a perennial underdog and had been written off just a year ago is now infused with newfound energy, belief, and confidence. With Sanders at the helm, there's a sense of optimism and enthusiasm that has revitalized the Colorado Buffaloes. As of this publication, the team boasts an impressive 3-0 record and is ranked in the top 20. Sanders' impact as a coach is undeniable, and he has garnered even more popularity, respect, and admiration for his ability to inspire and lead his players.
The wrap
Deion Sanders' journey from a football icon to a coaching sensation is a testament to his unwavering belief in himself and his ability to inspire and lead. He has successfully translated his athletic prowess, charisma, and Hollywood connections into a thriving coaching career. Sanders' remarkable transformation has revitalized two college football programs and captured the attention and admiration of fans and sports enthusiasts alike. As he continues to inspire his players through coaching talks, motivational speeches, and locker room pep talks, Deion Sanders remains a true legend in the world of sports, proving that his impact on the game extends far beyond the field.
DEION SANDERS FACTOIDS
Sanders made his MLB debut on May 31, 1989.
During the 1989 season, he hit a home run and scored a touchdown in the NFL in the same week, becoming the only player ever to do so.
Sanders is also the only person to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series.
Sanders and Bo Jackson were the preeminent multi-sport athletes of their time, but prior to the 1990 season, they had never squared off against each other in a professional game.
In 2017, he became the offensive coordinator for Trinity Christian High School giving him the opportunity to coach his sons Shilo and Shedeur Sanders, along with his eldest son Deion Jr.
On September 21, 2020, Deion Sanders became the 21st head coach of the Jackson State Tigers of the historically black (HBCU) Jackson State University. The Tigers play in the second level of NCAA football, the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
On December 3, 2022, Sanders was named the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes.
After going 1-11 in the previous season and despite being predicted to win less than 3 games by most sports bodies, Colorado went on to win their first three games of the 2023 season.