Deion Sanders’ Security Team Raises Red Flags Over Safety Threats at Colorado
There’s growing concern around the personal safety of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, and this time it’s coming straight from inside the Buffaloes’ locker room. In a video recently shared by Deion Sanders Jr., Coach Prime’s head of security, Michael Rhodes, addressed the team with a clear message: be vigilant.
Rhodes, who holds the official title of “private security to the head coach,” didn’t mince words. Speaking directly to players, he warned them to be cautious about who they allow access to the team facilities - especially when it comes to people trying to get close to Sanders.
“Those of y’all that are new, when y’all head up to the facilities in the morning, be mindful of who comes in with you, especially on the elevator,” Rhodes told the players. “Don’t let somebody coerce you into scanning them up on the floor, because everybody’s trying to get to Coach Prime.”
The message was clear: not everyone trying to reach Sanders has good intentions. “Those people that are trying to get to him, not all of them have good intentions,” Rhodes added.
“So just be mindful of that, don’t prop open any doors, because my philosophy is, if the doors open, they will come through. Then they’re gonna have to meet me.”
Rhodes isn’t just any security detail - he’s a former Jackson State police officer who followed Sanders to Boulder and has become a key figure in the coach’s inner circle. He earned just under $49,000 last year, but his role extends far beyond a paycheck. From scanning Sanders’ mail to shadowing him throughout the day, Rhodes is deeply embedded in the coach’s day-to-day routine.
And according to both Rhodes and Sanders, the threats they face are very real.
“We get death threats all the time,” Sanders said. “Why?
I’m a Black man making it happen, making things move, making all that happen. So we have stuff that’s real.”
When Sanders asked Rhodes how many threats they receive, the answer was blunt: “About five every day.”
That number raised eyebrows across social media, where fans expressed disbelief and concern. Some pointed to the toxic blend of sports fandom and gambling culture. Others simply couldn’t understand why anyone would go that far over college football.
But for Sanders, this isn’t about internet trolls or fleeting frustrations - it’s about protecting himself, his staff, and his players from real-world danger. And for a program trying to build something big in Boulder, maintaining that security is just as important as any recruiting class or win-loss record.
As Sanders heads into his fourth season at Colorado, the stakes remain high - both on and off the field. His record has seen ups and downs, from a 9-4 breakout to a 3-9 campaign last year.
But regardless of the scoreboard, the spotlight on Coach Prime isn’t dimming anytime soon. And with that spotlight comes pressure - and, unfortunately, risk.
For now, the message from inside the program is simple: stay alert, stay together, and protect the man leading the charge.