In recent years, it has become common practice in college football for players with NFL Draft aspirations to skip bowl games to avoid the risk of injury. However, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders is making it clear that things will be different under his watch.
On Friday, Sanders made it known that all of his star players, including quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way sensation Travis Hunter, will suit up for the bowl-bound Buffaloes. He even suggested that other teams should take note of Colorado’s approach.
“Our kids are going to play in our bowl game because that’s what we signed up to do, and we’re going to finish,” Sanders said firmly. “We’re not going to tap out, because that throws off the structure of next season.”
Sanders didn’t stop there, adding a pointed message to those programs that have taken a different path. “There are a couple of teams that should take note. They laid an egg in their bowl game and haven’t recovered since. We don’t plan on doing that. We plan on going out there fighting, just like we fought today, regardless of where we are.”
Although Sanders didn’t mention any teams by name, his comments seemed to allude to his former college team, the Florida State Seminoles. Last December, the Seminoles chose to sit several starters in their New Year’s Six Orange Bowl matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs and suffered a crushing 63-3 defeat.
The momentum they had built during the previous season was lost, and they currently find themselves at the bottom of the ACC standings with a 2-9 record. The lesson was clear—there are consequences to not finishing what you start.
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Sanders’ commitment to playing in the bowl game, regardless of the risks, underscores his philosophy of accountability and dedication. For Sanders, it’s not just about winning a game—it’s about establishing a culture of resilience and grit that will carry over into the next season.
However, Sanders did express one regret: his lack of control over the bowl game location. “I wish we had some say in the bowl because I want to go somewhere our fanbase could get to economically,” Sanders admitted. “I care about them that much. They show up and show out.”
Sanders has repeatedly voiced his appreciation for Colorado’s fans, noting how the support has grown alongside the program’s transformation. “I’ve seen it go from nothing to something,” he said, emphasizing the mutual love between the team and its supporters. It’s that love and commitment that Sanders believes his players will carry with them into their upcoming bowl game, wherever it may be.
Deion Sanders’ attitude and message resonate with a simple but powerful principle—honoring commitments and giving it your all until the very end. It’s a stance that has earned respect from fans and players alike, and it’s one that he hopes will set a new standard for college football.
