The Colorado football community gathered in grief this week as head coach Deion Sanders delivered a deeply emotional eulogy for sophomore quarterback Dominiq Ponder, who died in a tragic car crash at just 23 years old.
Friends, family members, teammates and coaches came together to remember the young athlete whose presence had quietly shaped the locker room. When Sanders stepped up to speak, the moment carried a heavy weight.
He admitted the decision to address the crowd felt difficult.
Still, he said he felt compelled to share what was on his heart.
Sanders Reflects on Faith During Grief
Sanders took the microphone after Ponder’s family had already spoken. Their words, he explained, moved him deeply.
“We always ask questions about why this happened … ’God, why this and why that?’” Sanders said.
“When we’re successful, we’re excelling, and overcoming adversity, we never ask God, ‘Why?’ then. Only in our demise and sadness of life, we challenge and ask God,’ Why?’ I think I’ve got the solution.”
The longtime coach and Hall of Fame athlete then turned his focus to the young quarterback whose life had been cut short.
‘Dom Was Chosen’
Looking out toward the audience, Sanders described the young man he had coached.
“As I look right there, and look at a young man so full of life – so full of respect, bustle, hard work, and integrity. I ask God, ‘For real?’ And he whispered: ‘Dom was chosen.’
“Dom was chosen to unite y’all, to bring you all together. Dom was chosen.”
The words resonated across the room. Many in attendance had watched Ponder grow both on and off the field.
A Message to Ponder’s Parents
At one point during the service, Sanders directed his message to Ponder’s parents. Emotion visibly overtook him as he paused at the podium.
“The only darn thing I have regret for is that when you sent us a boy. I wanted to send you back a man,” Sanders said.
For several seconds, the coach struggled to gather himself before continuing.
A Determined Player Finding His Path
Ponder joined Colorado as a walk-on quarterback during Sanders’ first season leading the Buffaloes.
At the time, the program was undergoing a major transition. Sanders already had his son, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, positioned as the starter following their successful run at Jackson State.
Still, Ponder remained determined to grow inside the program.
He worked alongside other quarterbacks in the room, learning under Sanders’ coaching and pushing to improve every day.
Last season, Ponder appeared in two games for the Buffaloes.
While his playing time remained limited, those around the program say his impact reached far beyond the stat sheet.
Team Reeling After Sudden Loss
News of Ponder’s death shook the Colorado roster.
Soon after learning about the accident, Sanders called an emergency meeting with the team. A video circulating on social media showed a raw moment as players fought back tears while their coach tried to comfort them.
In the clip, Sanders urged the team to remember the qualities that defined their teammate.
“His character, humor, work ethic, and tenacity. It’s something that I want us to remember,” he said in the clip.
For many players, the meeting became an emotional release during an incredibly difficult week.
Family Expresses Gratitude
Despite the tragedy, Ponder’s parents offered heartfelt words of appreciation toward Sanders and the program.
In a statement, they thanked the coach for his support during their son’s time with the team.
They praised “Coach Prime” for his “unwavering generosity, support, and love shown to our family.”
In a separate message, the family also expressed their “heartfelt gratitude” to everyone who had reached out with prayers and support.
Sanders Shares Final Tribute
Sanders first confirmed the quarterback’s death on social media last Sunday.
His message reflected both sorrow and admiration for the young player.
“God please comfort the Ponder family, friends and loved ones,” Sanders wrote on social media. “Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good 1. Comfort us Lord Comfort us.”
For Sanders and the Buffaloes, the loss leaves a lasting void.
Yet the coach made clear during the service that Ponder’s legacy will live on inside the team he helped shape.
