The tension was real, the cameras were rolling, and the topic was as hot as it gets: Deion Sanders and Colorado’s rocky 3-9 season. On ESPN’s First Take, Deion and Stephen A.
Smith didn’t shy away from the tough conversation. It was a spirited back-and-forth, with Smith pressing the issue of accountability and the need for tangible progress in Boulder.
His message was clear: no matter how magnetic Sanders’ personality is or how much leadership he brings to the table, the scoreboard has the final say.
Smith didn’t discount what Sanders has already done. He acknowledged Coach Prime’s influence on the program, his ability to attract talent, and his cultural impact.
But he also didn’t sugarcoat the reality-if Colorado wants to quiet the critics and if Sanders wants to be taken seriously in future NFL coaching circles, the Buffaloes need to start stacking wins. Fast.
But here’s the thing: as soon as the segment wrapped and the lights dimmed, the energy shifted. Cameras caught a genuine moment between the two-an embrace that quickly made the rounds online.
It wasn’t for show. It was the kind of hug that said, “We may go toe-to-toe on-air, but there’s mutual respect here.”
It reminded fans that debates like these aren’t personal-they’re about the game, the grind, and getting better.
Sanders, for his part, didn’t back down during the segment. He stood firm on his vision for Colorado.
He’s not in this for a quick fix. He’s building something, and he knows that turning around a program that’s been stuck in the mud doesn’t happen overnight.
NFL chatter? Not on his radar.
His focus is squarely on player development, changing the culture, and laying the groundwork for sustained success at the college level.
And when the conversation turned to his son, Shedeur Sanders, Deion got even more candid. He’s fiercely protective of his family, and he used the platform to defend his quarterback son from what he called “all the bulljunk” that had been thrown his way over the past year.
For Deion, the numbers speak for themselves-over 7,300 yards, 64 touchdowns, and a 71.8% completion rate in college. That’s not just solid; that’s elite.
Yet despite those stats, Shedeur slid all the way to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, going 144th overall to the Cleveland Browns as the sixth quarterback taken. That drop raised eyebrows, but Deion didn’t flinch.
Instead, he doubled down on his belief in Shedeur’s talent and leadership. “He’s a true leader, he’s a bona fide baller, he can play,” Sanders said, proud and unapologetic.
For Deion, this isn’t about proving people wrong-it’s about proving the people who believe in them right. And when it comes to Shedeur, he made it clear: his son’s success isn’t about riding his father’s coattails. It’s about earning every yard, every touchdown, and every opportunity.
So while the record at Colorado may not yet reflect the vision Deion Sanders has for the program, the fire is still burning. And if you ask him, the story is just getting started.