‘I’m here for Prime’ was chime of many Buffs’ fans
While a football manager at the University of Kansas, the team traveled to Boulder, Colorado twice.
Boulder is spectacular. The University of Colorado campus is tucked between Denver and the majestic Rocky Mountains.
During my visits in 1980 and 1982, I noticed a level of diversity in Denver that had not reached the Midwest. However, Boulder and the university were overwhelmingly white.
Fast forward to last Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. The Colorado Buffaloes were visiting the University of Kansas for a Big 12 football game.
Much of the tailgating looked very HBCU.
It was like a rock concert.
Colorado fans ringed the field in the stands to get a close look at their heroes. The team responded by gyrating, jumping, smiling, laughing and acknowledging every hoot or holler from the stand.
Black people by the hundreds were grilling, serving drinks, and talking lots of stuff more than two hours before the 2:30 p.m. kickoff.
These revelers were decked out in Colorado gear, top-of-the-line clothing. Many had on “Prime” shirts or sweatshirts. It’s black-and-gold and tied directly to Nike and Deion Sanders.
Entire Black families were at the game, with all members bedecked in Colorado haberdashery.
I asked several groups, ‘what is your Colorado connection?’
Most responded that they were there to support Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and the ‘movement’ that has been created in Colorado. It is their lone tie to the university.
While many of these new Colorado fans were from the surrounding area, LaToya Terrell Meredith and her husband awoke long before dawn and drove from Little Rock, Ark., to Kansas City to see their man Deion.
“I’m here for Prime,” she said.
‘This is so positive. The message is positive and proud. How can you not be for them?”
Well, I wanted the other team to win, LaToya, that’s how.
I reached my seat near the south endzone of Arrowhead. The Buffaloes were doing pregame preparation in that end zone.
It was like a rock concert.
Colorado fans ringed the field in the stands to get a close look at their heroes. The team responded by gyrating, jumping, smiling, laughing and acknowledging every hoot or holler from the stand.
This wasn’t a 2024 Big 12 team; it was Dallas Cowboys 1995.
The sun was already creeping across the field when the game kicked off.
Hunter displayed why he is the Heisman Trophy frontrunner, and a future NFL first-round pick. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders is also a first-round NFL pick, possibly No. 1, and he proved it during the game.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the expected coronation of the Colorado Buffaloes as the best team in the Big 12. KU 37, Colorado 21.
Devin Neal, who became KU’s all-time leading rusher earlier this year, scored four touchdowns – two more than the vaunted Hunter. He compiled 208 yards rushing, and 80 receiving yards including a 51-yard TD reception.
Colorado and their fans came in very loudly. They left very quietly.
Following the game, Sanders told his players they fell for the hype – which he helps create.
“Nobody in here can say you gave the maximum effort. The problem is you guys get intoxicated with success,” he said on a file posted on Instagram.
“You bought into all that foolishness… and we went out there and we got humbled. Coaches, players, everyone—we went out there and got humbled.
“This moment ain’t just about football, it’s about life. This is a tremendous life lesson.”
It was also a day I’ll remember, thanks in part to what Deion Sanders is doing in Colorado. Truthfully, I was honored to be a part of the show.
The Reid Roundup
Following his second touchdown, Colorado’s Travis Hunter struck the Heisman Trophy pose…Forget Shedeur Sanders, Hunter is the star of the Colorado show. He was the last to leave the field after pregame warmups to a thunderous ovation. He was also the last player to return to the field near gametime… After Colorado crept back within two points after trailing the entire game, KU responded with an 8-yard TD drive behind the arm and legs of Jayhawks QB Jalon Daniels…There were Deion Sanders jerseys in the stands representing Florida State, the Atlanta Falcons, San Francico 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens.