Colorado head coach Deion Sanders maintained his faith-centric perspective on football after a blowout loss to Oregon. He praised God in a postgame news conference and continued that approach on social media, where he said he thanks Jesus, win or lose. Oregon dominated the Buffaloes, racing out to a 35-0 halftime lead en route to a 42-6 victory.
It was Colorado’s first loss of the season, which surprised the college football world by starting 3-0 on the shoulders of a high-scoring offense. In 2022, Colorado finished 1-11 before hiring Sanders, who formerly coached at Jackson State in Mississippi. Better known as “Coach Prime” due to his college and pro sports nickname, Sanders has made his Christian faith a significant part of his public profile.
At the beginning of the postgame conference, where he credited Oregon, Sanders said, “First and foremost, I thank the Lord. It was a good old-fashioned butt-kicking. No excuses. [Oregon] coaches did a heck of a job preparing their team. Obviously, we didn’t. We lost offensively, defensively, as well as special teams.” However, Sanders encouraged his players to remain positive.
He said, “This is the kind of opportunity you have as a coach, as a man, as a father to lift them up, not just shoot them down; you’ve got to lift them up.” Sanders also maintained his upbeat attitude on social media, writing on Instagram after the game, “Lord, we thank You through it all. We praise You consistently because You deserve all the praise. We love You & magnify You, win or loss. We do that because, with You, there is no loss. Thank you, Jesus.”
Sanders played college football and baseball at Florida State University and then in the National Football League and Major League Baseball before working as a football analyst on television. He recently told his fans on X (formerly Twitter) that he won’t stop discussing his faith. The post received 1.8 million views.
Sanders wrote, “JESUS! I had to say that to make Demons tremble and haters agitated. JESUS IS MY LORD & SAVIOR, so get used to me proclaiming his name daily. God bless you now, and please have a blessed day because I am. #CoachPrime.” Sanders gave God all the credit during his first press conference as Colorado’s head coach.
At the beginning of the news conference, Sanders said, “Don’t you ever tell me what God ain’t. Don’t you ever tell me His limits. Don’t you ever tell me what you’re up against and what you can’t do.” Referencing the Colorado athletic director and board members, he said, “Out of all the persons in the world, God chose me? For that, I love Him. For that, I magnify Him. For that, I glorify Him. For that, I praise Him. For that, I owe Him. Each and every day, I’m trying to please Him.”
Coach Sanders has let the world know there’s nothing wrong with being open with your faith. Colorado hosts No. 8 USC and defending Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams next.