Colorado coach Deion Sanders responded to claims made by a teenage streamer about their conversation during the NFL’s Pro Bowl Celebrity Flag Football game.
Rakai, a 17-year-old with nearly 940,000 YouTube followers, was among the celebrities on Team Druski when Sanders coached the exhibition. The streamer later posted a video claiming Sanders tried to recruit him for college football.
During his February 15 stream, Rakai said Sanders approached him after the game. “Deion said, I’m not gonna lie Brodie, you wanna put down all that streamer stuff and come play college ball. I’ll give the deal,” Rakai claimed. “I know I’m nice at football but I’m not doing all that.”
Sanders addressed those claims when asked directly about them.
In a Well Off Media video posted Sunday, Bucky Sanders approached his father in a barber’s chair and asked him to confirm Rakai’s story.
“Can you get Rakai on the phone so we can discuss this?” Sanders responded.
Sanders then looked into the camera and said, “I love him, I think he played his butt off, he has talent. I don’t know if he’s a college athlete at this point.”
The video included additional comments from Sanders that appeared directed at the situation. “I’m here to tell you, you need to get in the game. What does that mean? You on the sideline. You on the bench. You ain’t even in this thing. You just in the stands talking, talking, talking, running your mouth.”
Sanders continued: “But you got so much to say about those that are. Maybe get in the game. What you scared of, what you’re afraid of, but forget your yesterday and don’t fear tomorrow. Ain’t no way you can win if you ain’t in the game, but you always got something to say. I need you to shut up and get in the game.”
Celebrity Game Performance
Rakai did perform well during the celebrity flag football game. He showed quickness on defense and demonstrated an ability to make defenders miss while gaining yards after catches.
Sanders had roasted comedian Druski during the same game. “You gave the other team everything you’ve got,” Sanders said laughing. “I’m going to say this bluntly, I don’t know if anyone’s every told you this. You’re horrible. Just flat out horrible.”
Based on his appearance during the celebrity game, Rakai appears to be around 5’6″ and likely weighs significantly less than 200 pounds.
Most college football programs require prospects to be at least 5’9″ and 180 pounds for serious consideration.
Sanders’s response suggests the recruitment conversation didn’t happen as Rakai described it. The coach praised the teenager’s effort while questioning whether he has the physical tools for college football.
The exchange gave YouTube and streaming fans plenty to discuss about the intersection between social media personalities and traditional sports.
