James Brown says Deion Sanders' bravado made him great: "You can't question his heart"
As Deion Sanders enters his second year at Colorado there is a swagger about him that is different from when he arrived on campus in Boulder. While some people may be thrown off by his bravado, he has never deviated from being himself. It's a quality many have adored about him for decades, including James Brown.
The CBS Sports host talked about Coach Prime's rise with the Buffs prior to Super Bowl 58. What is rare for Brown is that not many people have witnessed Sanders' transition from the inside between his playing career to network television personality and now coach. The Hall-of-Famer has blazed a trail on an amazing journey.
"Many people might look at the confidence Deion displays as being bravado... maybe over-the-top. You know what, that's what made him the excellent athlete that he was," Brown told BuffsBeat. That's what makes him who he is. He cares for young people. You might have a little bit of a problem with the exterior and all that, but that's okay. You cannot question Deion's heart."
That’s what University of Colorado athletic director Rick George saw in Sanders before making arguably the biggest hire of his career. Coach Prime is a leader of young men, helping them to be great in life throughout all the struggles some of them might face. The fraction of people who see him as being flashy or extravagant will never see his character, and how he's been putting CU at the forefront of the world's biggest stages.
"I've seen him with kids that he's brought into his home," Brown said. "That he's helped to mentor to get them on the right road to life. You can't help but love somebody and encourage somebody who has that kind of heart for young people."
Sanders just wrapped up Super Bowl festivities in Las Vegas with a few of his players accompanying him during his stay. All three of his sons were also there to take part in the events. They've since returned to Boulder to continue offseason conditioning drills prior to the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 27.