Colorado Head Coach Deion Sanders Talked With Imprisoned Father Of Star Player Following TCU Win

Getty Image / Andy Cross

No matter what you think of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, it’s hard to deny that his players absolutely love playing for him. And, Coach Prime calling the imprisoned father of star wideout Jimmy Horn Jr., after Horn’s huge game helped them upset TCU shows how personal his connection is with each player.

Jimmy Horn Jr. was one of the marquee transfers Deion Sanders brought in, having spent two seasons at the University of South Florida. He tallied over 950 yards receiving on 67 catches and four touchdowns in his time at Tampa.

Despite much more marquee programs wanting Jimmy Horn Jr., he decided to go play for Deion Sanders in Boulder. And, early returns on that decision are definitely positive.

He led all Colorado receivers with an impressive 11 catches, gaining 117 yards and adding a touchdown as Colorado’s offense racked up 510 passing yards en route to stunning the defending national runners-up on their home field, 45-42.

It’s what happened after the game that’s getting attention. Coach Sanders talked to Horn’s imprisoned father after the game to tell him how well his son played. Here’s football scoop with more.

Deion Sanders was headed to the Buffaloes’ charter jet back to Boulder, Colorado, when a player handed him his cell phone.

That player was wideout Jimmy Horn Jr., who was on the phone with his father — who had reached out to his son from prison. Horn Jr. had just compiled an 11-catch, 117-yard, one-touchdown effort in his debut with the Buffaloes.

“One of the best moments that I had on Saturday, Jimmy was getting on the plane and he said, ‘Hey, Man, my pops, I got perfect timing, my pops is on the phone,’” Sanders told CBS News Colorado’s Romi Bean, during a segment of the “Coach Prime’s Playbook” show. “And you know Jimmy’s pop is incarcerated. But, just to have a conversation with his father, and his father said, ‘You told us you were going to take care of him, you were going to look out for him,’ and his father was so happy and elated.”

Added Horn Jr, “Because with Coach Prime, he reminds me so much of my pops and then when I had them two talk, my dad was really happy to talk to him because (Deion Sanders) stood on everything he said he was going to do. So he’s taking care of me and making sure I’m good mentally, physically and emotionally. So, he’s doing his part and he’s doing everything he said.

“Coach Prime is a man of his word. My pop’s a man of his word. That’s why it’s only right that I’m here.”

What a great thing for Deion Sanders to do.

Colorado is back under the spotlight this weekend, as they take on longtime rival Nebraska in their home opener.