Mind of Mike: Coach Prime is Misrepresented

It was recently reported by Athlon Sports that Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders made the attendance of his players at the Lil Wayne concert following the Spring Game “mandatory” because his son, Shedeur Sanders , was the opening act. Athlon Sports sourced unnamed players.

Deion has denied it on Twitter and said it’s “one of the best lies he’s heard.” So now we have a nice little he said, she said. My thoughts? The truth is somewhere in between.

Did Coach Prime make it “mandatory” for players to attend and that they would be removed from the team if they didn’t attend per the story? Nah. Sources have told me that no one would be kicked off the team for not attending a concert where his son was performing. Did Deion emphasize how important it was for everyone to attend? Yep. That’s been confirmed by numerous sources. I'm told the reason is two-fold.

First and foremost it’s the “Daddy Ball” we’ve all come to expect from Deion and his sons. It’s all about a different set of rules for Shedeur and Shilo and to an extent Travis Hunter. So, “strongly suggesting” the team supports Shedeur’s music career as he debuted his single is in line with what has been going on from the start and what has occurred at Jackson State and in high school. It’s Deion’s kids first and everyone else second. Does that make him a great dad or does that make him a self-centered narcissist teaching his sons to be the same? That’s for you to decide.

The second reason? Deion wants to be different in the college football landscape. So fashion shows and concerts surrounding Spring Game week is his idea and his friendship with Lil Wayne is an important one. The musical superstar has supported Sanders from day one in Colorado and has helped bring attention to the program and also allowed Deion to be different. While we’ve seen celebrities support college football programs at places like USC, Texas, and others we haven’t seen a combination of entertainment and football culture this close. And it’s important to Deion.

Would the players' attendance be pivotal to crowd excitement and noise for a Lil Wayne concert? No. It’s less than 100 people after all. But it would reflect poorly on Deion if the team weren’t in lock step with the concert idea and his son’s debut. And appearances are as important to wins to Coach Prime I’ve been told over and over again.

Is this even a big deal? It would be if he threatened to kick kids off the team for not attending. But that’s not the case at least according to my sources although it was “strongly encouraged”. The article itself was a smidge dramatic and not sourced by numerous players it seems. So no, it’s not a big deal. But it is another example of how there is a perception, based on actual reality, that almost everything about Colorado football revolves around Deion, his sons and Travis Hunter. And when this charade is all over and Deion exits when they do, more and more will come out.