Deion Sanders Reveals How Colorado Will Honor Dominiq Ponder

In 2026, Dominiq Ponder will be in, and on, the heart of every member of the Colorado Buffaloes.

Colorado will pay tribute to the quarterback killed in a car crash early Sunday morning through a jersey patch that will be worn at least for next season. Coach Deion Sanders pitched the plan to his team at practice on Monday.

Colorado To Honor Dominiq Ponder With Jersey Patch

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the spring game at Folsom Field. | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Darius Sanders of Reach the People Media captured the moment when Coach Prime detailed how the Buffs will honor Ponder next season. He listed a rough draft of options, and the team appeared to agree on "DP 22" for the patch. The Buffaloes want to make their remembrance of Ponder as visible as possible.

On Sunday afternoon, Coach Prime confirmed the death through a powerful message on X. He noted that while not spending much time on the field, Ponder was one of his favorite players.

"God, please comfort the Ponder family, friends and loved ones," he said. "Dom was one of my favorites! He was loved, respected and a born leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him and had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord, you’re receiving a good one. Comfort us, Lord, comfort us."

Colorado’s uniforms will feature a patch honoring Dominiq Ponder this season 🖤💛

(Via: @KingDarius_NS ) pic.twitter.com/aAkcIYMRy4
— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) March 2, 2026

Following the tragedy, coaches and players expressed mourning, highlighting the positive impact Ponder had, describing him as a hardworking, bubbly locker-room presence.

“In an era where you have to force people to work hard, you had to tell Dom to stop working so hard," offensive coordinator Brennan Marion told reporters Monday. "His energy was contagious.”

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Naples High's Dominiq Ponder looks to throw the ball during the FBU Freshman All-American football game at Gulf Coast High School in Naples, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. | Chris Tilley/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA

Ponder was just 23, a redshirt junior entering his third season with the Buffs. He'd only made two brief appearances during his time in Boulder, but he stuck around to compete for a backup position behind quarterback Julian Lewis.

He was a three-star recruit out of Miami Carol City High School near his hometown of Opa Locka, Florida. Ponder started his college career with Bethune-Cookman, making two appearances in 2023 and throwing eight passes. Last season with Colorado, he played against Arizona and West Virginia.

On Sunday evening, Colorado State Patrol reported that Ponder lost control of his Tesla Model 3 while driving into Boulder on Baseline Road around 3 a.m. MT. His vehicle crossed into the opposing lane of traffic on a right-hand curve, went through a guard rail, struck an electrical pole and fell into an embankment before catching on fire. Speed is a suspected factor, per the CSP's release.

Brennan Marion Proving Worth As Leader Through Tragedy

Sacramento State Hornets head coach Brennan Marion listens to one of the assistant coaches yell at players on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota. | Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

To honor the unthinkable, Marion has stepped up. In a press conference expected to include optimism and avid questioning about his arrival in Boulder, he instead gave compelling testimonies to Ponder's life and career.

Fighting back tears just months after arriving in Boulder as offensive coordinator, Marion met the moment.

“Our staff members care about the players. They know their names, know where their families are from,” he said. “A lot of these guys will lean on their coach, and we’ll be able to lean on them. These guys will have all the love and support they need to overcome the situation.”

He was also vital in helping Colorado through a heavy first day of spring practice, firing up his huddle with another budding tradition in Ponder's honor. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't guns blazing. But it was for Dom.

“I need something right now. This is for my boy Dom," Marion said. “I can’t be on the football field with no juice.”