Deion Sanders Says He’s ‘Graded on a Different Scale’

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Colorado coach Deion Sanders took a moment before his first appearance at Big 12 media days on Wednesday to pay tribute to other coaches across the league.

The American Football Hall of Fame player, who’s entering his second season as head coach in a strong conference, told everyone he must operate under a completely different banner.

“I’m judged on a different scale,” Sanders said. “My victories are completely different than your victories. Your victories, you just judge football, so I start (talking about) education and learning and so on. I have to get that across to you so you understand there’s a bigger scope.”

Sanders praised the team’s grade-point average, the Buffs’ 16 coaches and staff members with NFL experience, a 20 percent increase in student applications to Colorado and the “crazy” economic impact for the college.

After leading HBCU Jackson State to a 27-6 record in three seasons, including a 23-3 mark with two Southwestern Athletic Conference titles the past two, Sanders got off to a fast start at Colorado, winning his first three games last season before ending 4-8. Colorado was picked to complete eleventh within the Big 12 preseason poll.

“I can’t win nine games and our GPA suffers,” Sanders said. “Our GPA can’t be high and we lose eight more games. We can’t not go and get high school players, and you have a bunch of guys in the portal coming out of the portal and going to prison. My wins are different. We have to win in every area. That’s how we’re judged.”

Sanders’ sons, quarterback Shedeur and graduate defensive end Shilo, also participated in Big 12 media days.

Shedeur Sanders threw for a school-record 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns in his first season on the FBS level, completing 69 percent of his passes. But he was also essentially the most sacked quarterback (52) within the country.

“I remember the first day of media when I was at an HBCU, I said we’re not going to lose a game. I’m undefeated in the SWAC, so I know what the expectations are, I know we’re the Super Bowl for everybody,” he said. “That’s why I always keep my head up, keep my feet on the ground, because I would never want to be that guy and look back and not be able to capitalize on the moment that we have right now.”

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Shilo Sanders filed for bankruptcy last October because he faces a nearly $11.9 million settlement in reference to an alleged attack on a Dallas school security guard who tried to confiscate his phone in 2015. Shilo Sanders, who’s now 24, was 15 on the time.

The security guard said he suffered a broken spine and nerve damage after being elbowed within the neck. He immediately filed a police report, sued in Texas court the next 12 months and received a sentence after Shilo Sanders failed to indicate up for his 2022 court hearings.

“Honestly, this type of thing, you’re not going to win a lawsuit on social media,” Shilo Sanders said when asked about it Wednesday. “And at the end of the day, everybody’s going to know the truth about everything. So there’s no point in me just going out of my way to do it. So it’s all good.”

Standing on the essential podium, Deion Sanders talked about how Shedeur was recruited by Gus Malzahn when the present UCF coach was still at Auburn, and the way the younger Sanders played in highschool for current Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire.

“I only mention a few coaches because they were so nice, so caring. They were so great to me,” Deion Sanders said. “I remember going there to Auburn and (Malzahn) was just the same consistent guy from then on. He’s a phenomenal coach.”

Sanders called each Mike Gundy, who’s entering his twentieth season at Oklahoma State, and Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark legends. He also expressed his love for McGuire.

“Joey is the same great coach he always was. Joey, if you’re out there, I love you, I appreciate you. Keep doing what you’re doing,” Sanders said. “Except when we come to play you, I want you to keep doing what you’re doing. But I love you, man, I really do. And you’re doing a great job down there at Texas Tech.”

The Buffaloes, who open their season on Aug. 29 with a home game against FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, will play away at Texas Tech on Nov. 9.

The Big 12 might be a 16-team league, with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah officially joining in early August.

“We have 16 great football coaches,” Yormark said. “I’ve gotten to know Coach Prime really well. I love his energy and his passion for what he does. Of course I’m excited about Colorado coming back to the conference. He’s a football legend. And let’s be honest, there’s a big audience that follows him. And that’s going to benefit the Big 12 and all of our schools.”