Colorado HC Deion Sanders sends strong message to undrafted former player

Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders had a strong message seemingly directed at former Jackson State receiver Malachi Wideman, who was not taken during the 2023 NFL Supplemental Draft: work ethic and talent is necessary to make it at the next level when talent is equal.

“Young men, it ain’t just about your talent because many of u possess talent, it’s about your ‘Work Ethic & Character’,” Sanders prefaced before saying, “Those 2 will sustain u when your talent is matched by your teammates or opposition.” These comments come in the wake of the Colorado football head coach telling the hosts of Thee Pregame Show that Wideman is not yet a true professional.

“I’m not going to tell you the team, but it’s a team who just called me yesterday about Malachi, and I told him the truth about Malachi, (He’s) a Florida boy, so you know he’s one of my favorites,” Sanders said (h/t HBCU Gameday). “There are certain things that Malachi has to work on as a young man to develop himself to being a professional. A lot of these guys think when you go pro, you go pro. So you got to be a pro before you’re pro. You don’t get to the pros and say, I’m a pro. Malachi just has to work on some personal things that constitutes that he’s a pro even before he makes it to the pro.”

Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders showing tough love

While many of Sanders’ soundbites make him come off as cold and even cruel at times, this situation is one that may be misconstrued. It’s evident that Wideman wasn’t doing the right things within the Jackson State locker room — hence, a massive step back statistically from the 2021 to 2022 season in which he appeared in only half the season for the Tigers last season — and arguably needs to hear the harsh truth about where his career could be headed if he doesn’t correct course.

Sanders is an old-school coach who isn’t here to coddle his guys. As someone who achieved success at the highest level of the sport, Sanders has a formula for success. Given his 23-3 coaching record the past two seasons in Jackson, Mississippi, Sanders deserves to be heard — and he has every right to criticize those who simply won’t listen.