BOULDER, Colorado – Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders kicked off his second season in Colorado with a combative press conference on Friday, during which he also celebrated his 57th birthday and became a grandfather.
Sanders put on his signature sunglasses and a Buffaloes baseball cap and began by thanking the person who left a card and several packages of fried pastries at the microphone.
“I’m trying to get my six-pack, but I can’t eat these honey buns,” he joked in the most light-hearted moment of his 30-minute press conference, which he concluded by declaring his love for “85 percent of you.”
Sanders did not elaborate on the source of his frustration, but there were some reports during the offseason from media outside of Colorado that portrayed his program in a less than positive light.
His testy exchanges were the highlight of the session at Colorado’s annual fall sports media day, usually a day of positivity and hope.
Sanders said he feels great physically after having to endure health issues a year ago, and he also feels more confident about his team going into year two as the Buffaloes return to the Big 12 after the Pac-12 disbanded.
Sanders reshaped his roster, especially in the trenches, after going 4-8 in his first season in Boulder last year.
However, he became testy when asked about his strengthened offensive line to protect his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was sacked 52 times in 2023.
“What do you mean ‘strengthened’?” Sanders interrupted, saying “improved” was a better term, “because I don’t know all that ‘strengthened’ stuff, I’ve never used it in a sentence. … Let’s put it this way: We improved our offensive line.”
So how could he try to speed up the development of the new offensive line’s chemistry before the Buffaloes’ opener on August 29 against North Dakota State?
“What is chemistry?” Sanders replied.
He turned down the next request from a CBS affiliate in Denver before it was even made. He did not elaborate on his dispute with the national broadcaster, but he is closely associated with 247Sports, which this summer detailed a court ruling against son Shilo Sanders, a safety on the team, and his subsequent bankruptcy filing.
Sanders told the reporter it was not personal, but he would not allow him to ask questions. He also deflected another question when he verbally argued with a reporter from the Denver Post, whom he accused of always attacking his program.
The reporter eventually suggested that they have a private discussion to iron out any differences. Sanders agreed, but said he would not answer any football questions until they had that conversation.
“That’s why I don’t have time for this nonsense. God is so good that God chose me on my birthday so that my daughter could have her first child. The first time I’ll be a grandfather on my birthday.”
Colorado coach Deion Sanders
“I have a question here,” said Shilo Sanders, reaching for the microphone as he waited at the podium. “Since today is your birthday. Do you have any plans for your birthday?”
Sanders replied that his children probably didn’t give him anything, as usual.
Then his son asked him if he wanted to become a grandfather because his daughter Deiondra Sanders had given birth to a boy on Friday.
“That’s why I don’t have time for this nonsense. God is so good that God chose me on my birthday to have my daughter have her first child,” Sanders said. “The first time I’ve been a grandfather on my birthday.”
Sanders’ sons followed him to the microphone and were asked if they would become uncles.
“It’s really exciting. My sister, I just got the text message,” Shedeur said before being interrupted by his older brother, Deion Sanders Jr., who was videotaping the press conference and told him their sister didn’t want them to talk about it.
Shedeur complied with the request.
“Oh, well, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he turned around.
Shilo Sanders interrupted the laughter and ignored Deion Jr.’s admonition.
“He’s nice and healthy,” Shilo said of his nephew. “I saw him on FaceTime. I’m proud of him.”
“He just told me not to say anything,” Shedeur warned.
“We have a certain amount of media control here,” Shilo replied, shrugging. “All brothers.”
All-American Travis Hunter was also scheduled to be on the podium, but canceled.
