What Deion Sanders’ absence means for Pac-12 Media Days
The proceedings for the Pac-12’s Media Day took a significant hit with the news that Colorado’s Deion Sanders would not be making the trip to Las Vegas due to a foot surgery.
Considering where the conference is, On3’s Andy Staples and Jesse Simonton both see it as a big blow for the league. Simonton looked at it from the viewpoint of it as the second blow this week to the Pac-12. With no television deal coming in Vegas either, he sees this as an 0-2 week out west heading into this media day.
“You talk about taking it on the chin for the Pac-12 this week? No media rights deal before your Media Days. They massaged that but now you don’t have Primetime? The guy that everyone wanted to hear from and talk to? It’s disappointing,” said Simonton.
From there, Staples expressed his own disappointment that Coach Prime wouldn’t be present. To be clear, the Pac-12 will still be sending enough star power to keep things interesting. However, in what would have been his first appearance at such an event, Staples knows that Sanders would have been the significant draw.
“All eyes would have been on Deion,” said Staples. “Now, granted, Caleb Williams is the returning Heisman Trophy winner, you’ve got Lincoln Riley there. Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr.. Look, they’re still going to have Colorado’s games, as far as we know, until they announce a deal.”
“That was the thing I was looking forward to the most about Pac-12 Media Day on Friday. But it doesn’t look like we’re going to get him,” Staples said.
This is the kind of buzz that Sanders has already generated in Boulder. The new head coach of a team that went 1-11 last year could end up on the back burner at an event like this. With it being Sanders, though, every mic and camera would have been as hot as it could have possibly been to see and hear what he would have had to say.
Unfortunately, that won’t be the case. That leaves the rest of the Pac-12 to take it up a notch in order to drum up the interest that could have been present had Sanders been available this week.
Sanders provides update on health problems after announcing Pac-12 Media Days absence
Deion Sanders will not be at Pac-12 Media Days in Las Vegas. The Colorado head coach likely would have stolen the show, being the first time big-time media members could speak to him. Instead, the Buffaloes will send defensive coordinator Charles Kelly to represent the program.
Reports trickled out about Sanders missing the event due to health problems. Sanders confirmed the news on Wednesday, sending a message out to let everyone know what was going on. He will be receiving two surgeries on Thursday and would not be in good enough condition to appear in Las Vegas on Friday.
“I apologize that I am not going to be at the Pac-12 Media Day,” Sanders said via ESPN. “I have to have another surgery tomorrow. A couple surgeries. One in my leg to remove the clots… I’m really dislocated on the bottom.”
Even with all of the problems, Coach Prime still believes in his ability to coach.
“God got me,” Sanders said. “Thank you for your prayers, thank you for your wishes. Thank you for everything. Let me tell you this. This is how the devil works. He thinks if he stops my mobility, he can stop my ability. He can’t do that. You can stop my mobility but that don’t stop my ability. My ability is God given. You cannot touch that. You can delay that but you cannot deny that.”
Sanders close out his statement by making a promise to the Colorado fans. By the time the season opener rolls around, he wants to be at the front of the line, leading his team onto the field against TCU.
“I promise you,” Sanders began. “When we go to TCU, I’m running out in front of our team. I promise you that. We got great doctors on hand.”