Deion Sanders found a way to make this past Father’s Day heartfelt, funny and unmistakably Coach Prime.
The Colorado head coach opened up about the fathers who shaped him, challenged men to be more present in their children’s lives and then added a playful twist by ranking his own kids based on who had called, texted or acknowledged him on his day.
“I had to add this on,” Sanders said. “Kids rankings are based on calling me, texting me, saying something to me, something.”
Then came what everyone has been waiting for, the preseason kids poll.
“Shedeur is number one,” Sanders said. “Deiondra is number two. Bucky, who’s on the other side of the camera, laced out, you know, Prime of the day. He’s number three.”
Sanders was referring to Deion Sanders Jr., who was behind the camera and has played a major role in building the family’s social media presence including this video on Well Off Media's YouTube channel.
But not every Sanders child made the early list.
“Bossy (Shelomi), I ain’t heard from you. Shilo, I ain’t heard from you,” Sanders joked. “I’m not saying that’s four and five, but it’s opportunity for four and five.”
It was a classic Coach Prime moment. Even while joking about his children, Sanders turned the moment into something bigger. He said he ranks his kids, even if others do not.
“Those are my kids ranking,” Sanders said. “I’m sorry that y’all don’t rank your kids. I do.”
After the playful family moment, Sanders’ broader Father’s Day message carried a much deeper tone.
Sanders opened by honoring the two men who helped shape his life: his biological father, Mims Sanders, who went by “Daddy Buck” and his stepfather, Willie J. Knight. Both have passed away, and Sanders admitted there was sadness in knowing he never fully got the chance to tell them what they meant to him.
“I’ve had two tremendous fathers,” Sanders said. “My biological father, and Willie J. Knight, my stepfather, who were tremendous fathers.”
Coach Prime made a point to recognize stepfathers, saying they deserve to be celebrated when they step in and truly fill that role.
“Stepfathers, just because you stepped in and you ain’t the biological father, that doesn't mean you ain’t the father,” Sanders said. “Because I had one of the best that ever lived. Willie J. Knight, I love you.”
He also spoke with honesty about his biological father.
“Buck Sanders, you weren’t perfect, but you tried your best,” Sanders said. “You tried your best through all your trials and tribulations to be there, and I love you for that.”
From there, Sanders shifted from reflection to challenge. He made it clear that Father’s Day, in his eyes, is not simply about men who have children. It is about men who show up for them.
“I’m not praising the baby daddies today. I’m praising the fathers,” Sanders said. “See, fathers are there. Baby daddies are around. See, fathers provide. Baby daddies provoke.”
Sanders continued by urging men to take responsibility regardless of their circumstances.
“If that’s yours, handle your business,” Sanders said. “Take care of business. I don’t care what she is doing or how she treats you. Take care of your business.”
His message was blunt, emotional and rooted in accountability. “You don’t have to be perfect, but you need to be present.”
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