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Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes came crashing to down to Earth on Saturday with a 42-6 loss to Pac-12 foe Oregon.
It was Sanders’ first loss as the coach of the Buffs and put a halt to a hype train that seemed like it was moving at an unstoppable speed.
But Sanders isn’t letting his head drop, or those of his players.
“A good, old-fashioned butt kicking. No excuses. Their coaches did a good job preparing their team. Obviously, we didn’t,” he said the start of his post-game press conference.
“Get your butt up and let’s go,” Sanders said he told his players. “We ain’t got time to have a pity party. Ain’t nobody walking around the locker room with napkins and tissues.”
But the Buffs had a good excuse if they were looking for one.
Travis Hunter, one of the nation’s top players and a former No. 1 overall recruit, missed the game after suffering a lacerated liver the week prior.
Would Hunter have changed the result? Almost assuredly not. But he would’ve given Colorado one more weapon on both sides of the ball.
Which is why Hunter, according to Sanders, is rushing to get back on the field.
“I need to play this week. We need to get everything we can so I can get back on the field, I’m not taking no for answer,” Sanders said as he reads off a text message from Hunter at the 3:00 mark of the video above.
The Buffaloes face another tall task this week when Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and Colorado Buffaloes come to Boulder.
But Sanders’ response wasn’t what you would think.
“No. You ain’t ready and I care about you more than I care about this game. You’re gonna change the game of football one day when you’re healthy and ready. Your future is brighter than mine ever will be and ever was. Relax and get healthy. I love you, son,” Sanders said.
Sanders then told his players that he cares about them all more than he cares about the game of football and that he wants them to learn throughout the “trials and tribulations” the game presents.
It’s a fantastic message from a coach that many have claimed if only worried about his own well-being.
Hopefully it’s not long before Hunter, one of the game’s most exciting players, is healthy and back on the field.