Warren Sapp's Bizarre Pregame Ritual Tragically Foreshadows Colorado’s Disaster at Utah

As the clock ticked down toward kickoff on Saturday night, a familiar sight played out just before the Colorado Buffaloes' game against the Utah Utes. Colorado pass rush coordinator Warren Sapp, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, was seen once again walking onto the field and engaging in his strange pregame ritual of kicking over the orange pylons in the end zone at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Just moments later, what might have been even more bizarre, Colorado coach Deion Sanders, hobbled by his well-documented health issues, was spotted limping and carefully picking up every pylon Sapp had scattered in the end zone.

Colorado Buffaloes Warren Sapp CU Buffs Coach Prime Deion Sanders Utah Utes Rice-Eccles Stadium Big 12 Football Hall of Famer — Oct 11, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes assistant coach Warren Sapp in the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

This wasn't a one-time goof. Sapp's "pregame tradition" was also witnessed during his first year on Sanders' staff last season.

Fans and media have been baffled by this, with many labeling the act on social media as unprofessional or silly. Seeing the bizarre display repeated only amplified the disaster of Colorado entering halftime down 43-0.

Two Coaches, Two Priorities

The pylon incident is a symbolic split within the program. Sapp's actions seem to symbolize carelessness. As for "Coach Prime," his focus has always been similar to mirroring Nick Saban's essentials and details required for winning.

As Colorado nears its sixth loss of the season, the last thing Coach Prime needs is another distraction.

So Warren Sapp kicks over the pylons… and Coach Prime picks them up 😅 pic.twitter.com/EotBy3xlhK
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) October 26, 2025

Yet, there he was, showing the effort and attention to the details, by physically cleaning up after his own assistant coach.

When the game at Utah hit an embarrassing low just before halftime, the careless act by Sapp shows a deviation from professional discipline and gives the Buffaloes a sign of a deep fundamental flaw within the program.

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The Problem of Unproffesionalism

The on-field performance was a rough indictment of the defensive line Warren Sapp is responsible for coordinating. Against the Utes, the Buffs' primary job was to disrupt and contain the run — and they have failed miserably.

The numbers from this game are difficult to look at. The Utes' offense, led by true freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin, has ran all over the Colorado front seven.

Ficklin, who made his first career start for the injured Devon Dampier, transformed into a highlight reel, ending the first half with a stunning 163 rushing yards on 18 carries. He punched in a touchdown and broke off a massive 63-yard run that broke the game wide open on the second play of the game.

The lack of professionalism shown in the pregame tragically has mirrored this collapse against the Utes.

The Price of Indiscipline

The truth is, the focus was gone from the start. Salter and the offense have been utterly stifled, completing only five of 16 passes for 23 yards and an interception in the first half. The rushing game has been nonexistent.

The pylon incident shows the difference between the careless eccentricity Sapp embodies and the meticulous, focused energy that Coach Prime is trying to maintain as the Buffaloes fight for bowl eligibility.

When you’re down 43-0 at halftime, the question isn't whether Sapp's bizarre pregame habit is a big deal; the question is about the overall discipline of the Colorado Buffaloes players and coaches.