Two weeks ago, rumors circulated that Colorado’s NFL-bound athletes wouldn’t be playing in the Alamo Bowl to diminish the risk of injury, as the game doesn’t affect the Buffaloes’ 2024 campaign. However, Deion Sanders put a stop to that conversation by saying that the Buffs “don’t tap out.” Nevertheless, Coach Prime has taken precautions so that his athletes are taken care of if they were to get injured.
Fans React to Deion Sanders’ Forward Thinking
Colorado’s game against BYU in San Antonio on Dec. 28 will be his first bowl appearance as Buffaloes head coach. So, Coach Prime spared no effort in insuring his players.
NEW: Deion Sanders has announced Colorado will provide disability insurance for its players in the Almo Bowl👏
“We have a multitude of players that are draftable… we want to make it sure that if something were to happen, they would cover it.”
(h/t @RyanKoenigsberg)… pic.twitter.com/docAJy1Pqu
— On3 (@On3sports) December 24, 2024
According to athletic director Rick George: “It was his (Sanders) idea we should get disability insurance for our athletes for this game to ensure that they played and if there was some kind of injury that they would be well taken care of. So, we worked together on that. We’re excited about it, we think it’s great that all our players are playing in the game. That’s what all bowl games should be like.”
To this news, NFL fans couldn’t help but praise Colorado and its coach.
“Prime is way ahead of the game…..I like this!! 👍🏼😁,” a fan said.
“Coach Prime and Colorado setting a good example,” another fan wrote.
“Forward-thinking,” a fan commented.
Fans questioned and wondered why this practice is not standard.
“I respect this but I’m curious if his sons weren’t on the team would this be a thing?!” a fan questioned.
“I’ve never heard about this for a team. I know families might have done it for their kid but a team. Set a new standard,” another fan said.
“Disability insurance doesn’t cover you for temporary injuries btw,” a fan noted.
Per On3, two leading Buff players — quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter — have big policies behind them. According to Coach Prime: “We have a multitude of players that are draftable, that they received a draft grade. They had disability (insurance) all season long, we want to make sure that if something were to happen, they would cover it.
“We happen to have two players that are probably going to be the first two picks of the NFL Draft. We all know who those two are and they have received, I think, the highest number of coverage that has ever been covered in college football. It far exceeds anyone that has ever played this game of college football.”
According to Pro Football Network’s latest mock, Sanders and Hunter are Day 1 picks, with the QB going to the Las Vegas Raiders as the No. 1 overall pick and the dual-threat weapon off to the New England Patriots with the third pick.