The college football world is still mourning the loss of Dominiq Ponder. During a recent moment with the media, Deion Sanders struggled to hold back emotion as he spoke about the young quarterback. Coach Prime reflected on the pain of losing a player and shared heartfelt memories that revealed just how much Ponder meant to the program.
Sanders did not hide the heartbreak. As a coach and a father, the situation hit him deeply.
Deion Sanders Speaks From the Heart
While addressing reporters, Deion Sanders became emotional while discussing the loss.
“Its hard to say his name…As a father,” began Deion Sanders looking very emotional.
He then explained how parents see college as a step toward a brighter future. According to Sanders, families send their children to school hoping they grow, learn, and come back stronger.
Deion Sanders said that it’s his understanding as a father that, “We send our kids to college to mature, progress, learn who he, or she is, and come back with something… Whether it’s a degree, an opportunity, to be a professional.”
Then he shared the painful reality that many parents fear. Rather, he said that all parents, “don’t send a kid to college, not to come back,” adding that, “Thats the most painful thing I’m dealing with.”
Those words showed how personal the loss felt to the Colorado coach.
Remembering Dominiq Ponder
Sanders also spoke about the kind of player and person Dominiq Ponder was inside the program.
He described Ponder as someone who worked hard every day despite beginning his college career as a walk on player.
He said that Ponder was a “walk on player. He’s a leader, a go getter, a doer not just a seer,” adding that he was one of his favorites and everyone knew it.
That respect was earned through effort, leadership, and a strong presence in the locker room.
The Story Behind Number 22
One of Sanders’ favorite memories involved Ponder’s jersey number.
Quarterbacks rarely wear number 22, which made it stand out immediately. Sanders revealed that he even gave the young quarterback a nickname because of it.
“He had number 22, which is unlike a quarterback number,” said Coach Prime. “I used to call him Black Flutie.”
At the same time, Sanders pushed Ponder to keep improving. He challenged him constantly.
Deion adds that he always challenges Ponder to fight if he wants to take one of the low numbers. “And he worked his butt off,” and as a result, “This season he was going to wear number 7.”
A Teammate Loved by Everyone
Another moment showed just how respected Ponder was in the locker room.
A player approached Sanders with a request that spoke volumes about their bond.
“One of the kids came to my office today, and said, ‘coach, can I wear number 22, for my roommate?’ I said, ‘yeah, but he was getting ready to wear 7?’” The timing made the moment even more emotional for the coach.
“The next day he’d have been in number 7 for his first time ever,” concluded Deion Sanders.
For Sanders and the Colorado program, the memories of Ponder’s work ethic and leadership will continue to live on.