CU Buffs
Op-Ed: Deion Sanders' fight wasn't won in the first round, but patience is a virtue
It’s easy to sit, watch the Buffs struggle and play arm chair quarterback. If asked, it hasn’t happened and probably never will, “What would you offer as encouragement to a team reeling toward the end?” Wow. Have no clue. What could be mentioned that hasn’t already been utilized? Coach Prime has talked about “Learning to win” and “Stop making dumb penalties” and other coach jargon often utilized to offer hope and confidence to a beaten down team. Nothing seems to be resonating.
What’s the next pep talk Sanders presents as the Buffs prepare to close out a season starting with such sizzle but has grown cold and unappetizing? It’s why coaches get paid the big bucks, right? The task of inspiring the Buffs to fight one more time on the road against the talented Utah Utes? Calling The Rock? Someone else in Coach Prime’s galaxy of stars and celebrities? Or, perhaps, a different twist?
How about this? Offer the podium inside the team room to an unknown dude with ample intelligence and awesome interrogating skills. The CIA should’ve hired this Colorado native long ago. What, you say? Well, as we take a trip down memory lane to a better Buff time, what this retired human resource whiz did to the psyche of the Nebraska Cornhuskers back in 2001? If the father of two grown kiddos could inflate Colorado’s spirits the way, in his presence, the lads of Lincoln wilted two decades ago? Ya know, play opposite? Like we used to do with our kids? Watch out Utes.
Let me explain.
Each year the wonderful rivalry played out at the foot of the Flatirons, CU Sports Information superstar Dave Plati would offer, for sale, about ten tickets for the McIntosh clan and friends, right behind the Nebraska bench. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving tradition. Buffs fans know the tight quarters at Folsom. Team benches are literally arms length from fans on the front row. It can be a tough environment for opponent players. It’s also ideal for CU boosters determined to help the home team in any possible way, shape or funny pad-penetrating verbal assault.
As the Buffs stampeded up and down the field with ease rarely seen, this buddy ran roughshod over the Huskers’ minds. It was hilarious. You could see steam rising from the Nebraska players helmets as a consistent voice bellowed into their ears about deficiencies in play and spirit. Disheartened gridiron warriors, intentionally, would rise from the bench and move toward the south end of Nebraska’s sideline area. The Pueblo native was not profane but the barbs were profound and amusing. Even if you ignore the joy of 62-36? Worth the price of admission.
More than two decades later, the memories are still fresh. Coach Prime and crew should offer this guy a chance to revitalize the current squad in 180-degree fashion to the way he demoralized the Huskers long ago. I know he’s available since we have a beer and talk sports a few times a week at our favorite Denver watering hole. Need somebody to mess with minds? Right now for the Buffs, in a positive manner?
All kidding aside, this is a challenging moment for the celebrated coach and his band of Buffs. Its leader, quarterback Shedeur Sanders is banged up, has been for a long time and should rest his weary soul. The season culminates in a difficult environment Hall of Fame coach Bill McCartney, and Sanders too, call “Tough sledding.”
On second thought, bringing in an instigator for inspiration is a bad idea. Strike it from the record. For whatever reason, for a 65-year-old journalist, the lyrics to John Lennon’s popular 1973 hit, “Mind Games” pops into thy cranium. A little research reveals the epiphany for the famous Beatle in writing the song was, “Positive thoughts are the foundation to happiness.”
For the players, coaches and staff of the Colorado Buffaloes? Responsible for preserving the pride and tradition and realizing it cannot be entrusted to the timid and weak?” Remember, Rome was not built in a day. Neither will a once downtrodden program striving to rise from the ashes and return to college football relevance. Patience is a virtue.
