Crazy stat shows just how much Deion Sanders has reinvigorated CU football

The impact Deion Sanders has had on the interest the nation now has in Colorado football is nearly immeasurable, but that isn’t going to stop those in and around Boulder from quantifying it. CBSColorado.com’s staff attempted to do so, though, and came up with a tangible way to understand it: through the attendance at the Buffaloes’ spring game on April 22.

“Sanders’ popularity hasn’t dipped in any way since the winter when he was hired,” CBSColorado.com’s staff prefaced before saying, “The attendance for CU’s ‘Black & Gold Day’ spring game in April was a whopping 47,277 fans. That was more than the last nine versions of the spring game in Boulder combined.”

Sanders is one of the few superathletes of the 1980s and 1990s — before being a pro athlete started involving highly time-consuming media appearances — who was able to be a pro football and pro baseball star. In fact, Bo Jackson may be the only player who was similarly at the top of his game in both sports. “Prime Time” has always been a draw for talking heads and general sports fans, but that fans are actually traveling to the games shows a legitimate interest in what is being built in Boulder; proof that the media may be overblowing the harsh recruiting methods Sanders is using to build his roster.

Colorado football missing Deion Sanders at Pac-12 Media Day unimportant in the grand scheme

To be clear: if Sanders’ missing of Pac-12 Media Day is indicative of an ongoing trend of absences, July 21st’s Primeless proceedings will be a sad starting point for what will be a severe letdown if “Prime Time” isn’t coaching games this Fall.

If, however, Sanders does end up on the sidelines, then Pac-12 Media Day will be one less off-field distraction for a coach who stated that he doesn’t want to deal with boosters or anyone that isn’t a player, coach, or recruit.