Deion Sanders returned to the University of Colorado as 'Professor Prime' to teach students about self-identity and leadership. This marks his third consecutive year speaking to the class inspired by him.
Key points
Deion Sanders returned to Colorado as 'Professor Prime'.
He taught about self-identity and leadership.
This is his third consecutive year speaking to the class.
The class is named 'Prime Time: Public Performance and Leadership'.
He was accompanied by his bodyguard during his visit.
Mentioned in this story
Deion SandersUniversity of Colorado
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders was back in class this week as Professor Prime, this time with lessons for University of Colorado students about self-identity, California taxes and getting to bed by 7 p.m.
Sanders spoke to the class in Tuesday, April 21, marking the third consecutive year he’s spoke to the class that was named after him and inspired by him at Colorado – a class entitled “Prime Time: Public Performance and Leadership.”
He arrived there by golf cart accompanied by his bodyguard and proceeded to hold court with students about his NFL and Major League Baseball careers while also fielding questions from them, as documented by his son Deion Jr. on YouTube. Sanders, 58, has spoken to the class several times since it started in 2023 and is among a number of guest faculty to speak in it.
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders stands on the field before the start of his team's spring game at Folsom Field.
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders stands on the field before the start of his team's spring game at Folsom Field.
Here are some of the stories and advice he shared Tuesday:
Deion Sanders tells students to 'quit trippin'
Sanders told the students that the general problems they have now are small in the grand scheme of things: breakups, college class issues, etc. He said they complain too much and need to quit “trippin.’”
“You’re dealing with petty stuff” said Sanders, who recently finished his fourth spring practice season in Boulder. “Then we claim mental health, and it ain't mental health. It's you. I’m going to say that again: It's you. You know why I know it's you? Because when everything going good, you ain't (saying), ‘Oh man, mentally I'm really healthy right now.’ I've never heard nobody say that when it's going really, really good.
Q&A
What topics did Deion Sanders cover in his class at Colorado?
Deion Sanders discussed self-identity, California taxes, and the importance of getting to bed by 7 p.m.
How many years has Deion Sanders been a guest speaker in the Colorado class?
Deion Sanders has spoken to the class for three consecutive years since it started in 2023.
What is the name of the class that Deion Sanders teaches at the University of Colorado?
The class is called 'Prime Time: Public Performance and Leadership.'
Who accompanied Deion Sanders during his visit to the class?
Deion Sanders was accompanied by his bodyguard when he arrived at the class in a golf cart.
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“But when it goes bad, you blame something. You want you want to blame something. And this generation is better than that. Like, you guys are smarter, more intelligent, more insightful. Like, you traveled and visited more places. You're having opportunities that we would never been afforded. And you complain too dern much. Like, quit tripping. Like, I'm serious. Quit trippin' and man up. Woman up. Do the doggone thing. And tell your parents you love them.”
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders and his father Deion Sanders on the sideline before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 28, 2025. Shedeur Sanders made seven starts during his rookie season with the Browns, going 3-4 in those games.
2024: Deion Sanders embraces Travis Hunter after the wide receiver/cornerback won the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
2024: Shilo Sanders (21), Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and social media producer Deion Sanders Jr. following a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field.
2023: Colorado football coach Deion Sanders and celebrity guest picker Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson exchange pleasantries on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the Buffaloes game against Colorado State at Folsom Field on Boulder, Colorado.
2023: Colorado coach Deion Sanders in attendance before the national championship game.
2022: Deion Sanders is introduced as the head coach of the University of Colorado.
2022: Deion Sanders during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders went 27-6 in three seasons leading Jackson State.
Jackson State Tigers head coach Deion Sanders enters the field with his team before the start of the game against the Florida A&M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 4, 2022.
2021: Deion Sanders coaches during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders required a scooter following blood clot issues that ultimately led to the amputation of some toes.
2017: Deion Sanders, working for NFL Network, interviews New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount during Super Bowl LI Opening Night at Minute Maid Park.
Melissa Stark (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Kurt Warner (right) smile during an NFL Network broadcast at the Super Bowl XLIX NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center on Jan. 26, 2015.
Rich Eisen (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Michael Irvin on the NFL Network set before the "Thursday Night Football" game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on Dec. 5, 2013.
2013: Deion Sanders as "Leon Sandcastle" of Primetime University arrives on the red carpet prior to the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
NFL network broadcaster Deion Sanders interviews San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Jan. 29, 2013.
NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders reports the action from the sidelines during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers at Texas Stadium on Nov. 29, 2007.
Deion Sanders makes his return to football with the Baltimore Ravens after a three-year retirement in the 2004 season opener iat Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 12, 2004. The Browns beat the Ravens, 20-3, in the game.
Deion Sanders and family celebrate Kids Day at the New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Hornets NBA game at Madison Square Garden in New York, on Nov. 29, 2003.
Washington's Deion Sanders jukes the Detroit Lions' Brock Olivo at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, on Sept. 10, 2000.
The Dallas Cowboys' Deion Sanders outdistances Indianapolis Colts defensive back Tito Wooten to score a touchdown at the RCA Dome on Oct. 31, 1999.
Deion Sanders at the plate for the Cincinnati Reds during the 1997 season. The Reds were among four different MLB teams that Sanders played for during a nine-season career.
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deion Sanders covers San Diego Chargers receiver Shawn Jefferson during Super Bowl XXIX at the Joe Robbie Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers, 49-26.
On Oct. 11, 1992, Deion Sanders played in a game against the Miami Dolphins, then flew to Pittsburgh for the Atlanta Braves' NLCS game against the Pirates (he did not appear in the game).
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Deion Sanders (21) on a kick return against the Green Bay Packers at Fulton County Stadium on Dec. 1, 1991.
The Atlanta Braves' Deion Sanders bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 7, 1991.
1991: Deion Sanders attempts a steal against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fulton County Stadium. Sanders spent four seasons with the Atlanta Braves from 1991-94.
1990: Pro Football Hall of Famers duel at Milwaukee County Stadium as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders covers Green Bay Packers receiver Sterling Sharpe.
The Atlanta Falcons' Deion Sanders in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium on Sept. 17, 1989.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Cowboys, 21-17, on Sept. 17, 1989.
Deion Sanders was a two-time All-American, the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award winner and a 2011 College Football Hall of Fame inductee.
Deion Sanders in action for Florida State during the 1987 season.
1 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders and his father Deion Sanders on the sideline before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 28, 2025. Shedeur Sanders made seven starts during his rookie season with the Browns, going 3-4 in those games.
1 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders and his father Deion Sanders on the sideline before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 28, 2025. Shedeur Sanders made seven starts during his rookie season with the Browns, going 3-4 in those games.
2 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
2024: Deion Sanders embraces Travis Hunter after the wide receiver/cornerback won the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
3 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
2024: Shilo Sanders (21), Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and social media producer Deion Sanders Jr. following a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field.
4 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
2023: Colorado football coach Deion Sanders and celebrity guest picker Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson exchange pleasantries on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the Buffaloes game against Colorado State at Folsom Field on Boulder, Colorado.
5 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
2023: Colorado coach Deion Sanders in attendance before the national championship game.
6 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
2022: Deion Sanders is introduced as the head coach of the University of Colorado.
7 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
2022: Deion Sanders during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders went 27-6 in three seasons leading Jackson State.
8 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Jackson State Tigers head coach Deion Sanders enters the field with his team before the start of the game against the Florida A&M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 4, 2022.
9 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
2021: Deion Sanders coaches during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders required a scooter following blood clot issues that ultimately led to the amputation of some toes.
10 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
2017: Deion Sanders, working for NFL Network, interviews New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount during Super Bowl LI Opening Night at Minute Maid Park.
11 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Melissa Stark (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Kurt Warner (right) smile during an NFL Network broadcast at the Super Bowl XLIX NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center on Jan. 26, 2015.
12 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Rich Eisen (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Michael Irvin on the NFL Network set before the "Thursday Night Football" game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on Dec. 5, 2013.
13 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
2013: Deion Sanders as "Leon Sandcastle" of Primetime University arrives on the red carpet prior to the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
14 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
NFL network broadcaster Deion Sanders interviews San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Jan. 29, 2013.
15 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders reports the action from the sidelines during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers at Texas Stadium on Nov. 29, 2007.
16 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Deion Sanders makes his return to football with the Baltimore Ravens after a three-year retirement in the 2004 season opener iat Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 12, 2004. The Browns beat the Ravens, 20-3, in the game.
17 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Deion Sanders and family celebrate Kids Day at the New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Hornets NBA game at Madison Square Garden in New York, on Nov. 29, 2003.
18 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Washington's Deion Sanders jukes the Detroit Lions' Brock Olivo at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, on Sept. 10, 2000.
19 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
The Dallas Cowboys' Deion Sanders outdistances Indianapolis Colts defensive back Tito Wooten to score a touchdown at the RCA Dome on Oct. 31, 1999.
20 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Deion Sanders at the plate for the Cincinnati Reds during the 1997 season. The Reds were among four different MLB teams that Sanders played for during a nine-season career.
21 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deion Sanders covers San Diego Chargers receiver Shawn Jefferson during Super Bowl XXIX at the Joe Robbie Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers, 49-26.
22 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
On Oct. 11, 1992, Deion Sanders played in a game against the Miami Dolphins, then flew to Pittsburgh for the Atlanta Braves' NLCS game against the Pirates (he did not appear in the game).
23 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Deion Sanders (21) on a kick return against the Green Bay Packers at Fulton County Stadium on Dec. 1, 1991.
24 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
The Atlanta Braves' Deion Sanders bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 7, 1991.
25 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
1991: Deion Sanders attempts a steal against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fulton County Stadium. Sanders spent four seasons with the Atlanta Braves from 1991-94.
26 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
1990: Pro Football Hall of Famers duel at Milwaukee County Stadium as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders covers Green Bay Packers receiver Sterling Sharpe.
27 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
The Atlanta Falcons' Deion Sanders in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium on Sept. 17, 1989.
28 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Cowboys, 21-17, on Sept. 17, 1989.
29 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Deion Sanders was a two-time All-American, the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award winner and a 2011 College Football Hall of Fame inductee.
30 / 30
Deion Sanders through the years
Deion Sanders in action for Florida State during the 1987 season.
Deion Sanders explains how California living factored in career decision
Colorado associate professor Rick Stevens asked Sanders about his move from the San Francisco 49ers to the Dallas Cowboys in 1995. Sanders told him he considered signing with the Oakland Raiders as an NFL free agent instead of Dallas but didn’t in part because of the high cost of living in California. He was coming off a Super Bowl win with San Francisco earlier that year.
“I didn’t buy a home in California,” Sanders recalled in the class. “It was crazy. … Oakland offered me the most money in my free agency, but it was too expensive. I calculated the expenses and the taxes, and I said, ‘No, I'm not doing that. I'd rather go to Texas.’ There's no state (income) tax. Cost of living is phenomenal. And … to me at that point in time is a better place to raise my kids.”
He signed with the Cowboys instead and won another Super Bowl there. Sanders still owns an estate outside of Dallas.
Still 'angry' about the NFL draft last year
The memory of his quarterback son Shedeur’s disappointing experience in last year’s draft still stings. Shedeur Sanders was projected as a first-round pick last year but fell to the fifth round instead. A year later, the NFL draft starts Thursday.
“They got the draft coming up, right?” Sanders asked. “I’m still angry about the last year’s draft, so I’m not even watching.” He laughed and then proceeded to tell the story about how he got drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1989.
Deion Sanders in bed by 7
One student asked him if it was difficult for him to figure out who he was away from the spotlight when he was putting on a persona for the news media and television cameras.
“Like even right now I'm not probably who you think I am until I told you I didn't drink or smoke and use profanity,” Sanders said. “You didn't know that. I'm in bed by what time, son?”
“They know not to call me after that,” Deion Sr. said of his children. “Like, this is the persona, but this is the man.”
He offered a similar example: Actor “Arnold Schwarzenegger is not the Terminator. He's Arnold Schwarzenegger.”
Sanders explains lesson he learned about quarterbacks
Another student asked Sanders about learning and staying in love with the game of football while it changes. Sanders replied with an example from last year, when he coached for the first time without his son Shedeur playing quarterback for him.
“I was in a situation that I had the luxury of having a guy that had my last name that played quarterback,” Sanders said. “I hadn't worried about that position since he was 5.”
He said he learned last year “how valuable that position really is.” After Shedeur Sanders left for the NFL, Colorado started three different quarterbacks and finished the season 3-9.
“That's why they make the most money in the NFL and college NILs as well,” Deion Sanders said. “But I never had that thought process until a season ago. So you learn a lot. You grow a little bit.”
Deion Sanders on what college is for
Sanders also was asked for his advice about handling life transitions amid so much change going on.
“Be unapologetically you,” Sanders told the student who asked him. “Find out who you are, what you are, how you are, what you can condone. Just you. Find out you. Like when you look in the mirror, we looking at everything but who we are. We're looking at the hair, the earrings, you know, the blush, the little lipstick. … You put it on today. But what about you? That mirror ain't telling you who you are.
“So you got to really find … And that's what college is for to me. I love the education part. I love all that. I love all that. I've been through all that. But to find myself, that's the stuff, the fertile ground for you to find yourself. And I would definitely locate me before I leave here. You don't want to leave here and not locate you cuz you could get lost in all this.”
Editor's note: Brent Schrotenboer of USA TODAY Sports spoke to this class in 2024 and 2025.