Deion Sanders spoke out in support of ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham during the Sun Devils' valiant efforts in a 39-31 loss to Texas in the second round of the College Football Playoff.
"Kenny Dillingham, You represented all of us from the Big 12 well my brother. We are proud of u and your team. God bless u all. You’re awesome COTY," Sanders tweeted.
Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo believes Coach Prime speaking out like he did was essential for the conference during a "perilous time" in the sport's timeline.
"...for Deion Sanders to stand up for Kenny Dillingham and the Big 12 in that moment matters for the conference at a perilous time for the sport of college football," Mundo wrote.
"Most recently, it was Kirk Herbstreit trying to rewrite history and getting into it on X with a Big 12 fan who was calling him out for his non-stop bashing of the CFP committee putting SMU and Indiana in the 12-team playoff. Two weeks ago, it was Lane Kiffin‘s non-stop whining during the first round of the CFP about how more SEC teams should have been in.
"So at a time when the loudest voices for weeks were promoting the SEC narrative around the sport, Deion Sanders has stepped up for tens of millions of college football fans around the country. And it could not have come at a better time for the Big 12 and the sport."
Sanders speaking out is important for ESPN execs. Truthfully, it means nothing. ASU showing up on the big stage and nearly coming back from down 24-8 to upset Texas was the actual important part.
But Coach Prime by himself gets more attention than the Big 12 as a conference. As we've seen throughout the College Football Playoff, the narrative war is as important to some as the actual on-field results.
Colorado didn't end their season ideally, but ASU did on behalf of the entire Big 12. That may be more important for CU long-term.