The college sports world is changing fast. Name, Image, and Likeness deals have shifted everything, forcing coaches to guide players who are now earning millions while still in school.
Athletes approach recruiting with serious money on the line. Not just for themselves, but for the families they’re supporting back home. It’s a chance that comes once in a generation.
But new opportunities create new problems. Young players who suddenly have financial independence often don’t know how to handle it.
This mirrors what happens to top NBA players who go broke from poor money management. However, Deion Sanders is working to make sure his players understand financial literacy. It’s part of preparing them for life after football.
Coach Prime has never been afraid to do things his own way. He’s faced criticism for his methods, but his track record speaks for itself. From his Hall of Fame playing career to his current coaching success, Sanders has proven himself.
At Colorado, Sanders reminds his players that they’re more than just athletes. They’re sons, future fathers, and men whose lives will continue long after their playing days end.
One of Sanders’ most personal traditions has grown into something bigger than he probably expected. Before games, he would walk with his sons, Shedeur and Shilo. It was a quiet moment that kept them grounded in their football journey together.
Even after Shedeur joined the Cleveland Browns, he kept the tradition alive. He took the walk alone before a preseason game, showing how much the ritual meant to him.
But the gesture’s impact stayed in Boulder.
One Colorado player recently came up to Sanders with a simple but meaningful question: “Coach Prime, you know we’re still gonna walk, right?”
Deion Sanders walks out with his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, for the final time at Colorado pic.twitter.com/K12tWCt0BX
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 29, 2024
That moment showed how deep Sanders’ influence runs. What started as a father’s tradition with his sons has been adopted by the entire team.
It’s not just about blood family anymore. It’s about the bonds built within the locker room. Players are embracing a ritual that represents belief in something bigger than themselves.
This is the kind of influence that lasts. Coaches can’t always know what burdens their players carry. But the best ones create a sense of belonging and purpose that goes far beyond football.
For Sanders, it’s never been about “entertaining” like critics claim. It’s about competing in life.
If this walk becomes a permanent part of Colorado football, it’ll show how real traditions are born. For Coach Prime, his legacy might be less about the plays he calls on Saturday.
It might be more about the steps his players take together before kickoff.
