Deion Sanders, better known as Coach Prime, is Sports Illustrated‘s Sportsperson of the Year.
SI’s choice for 2023 makes Sanders the seventh coach to win the award, landing him on a distinguished list that includes names like Don Shula, Mike Krzyzewski and Pat Summitt.
There’s no doubt about it: Colorado Buffaloes football reached new heights in 2023 because of the high-profile status of its coach. With early-season wins, many college football fans became interested in a program that had only won a single game in 2022.
From sold-out season tickets to celebrities on the sidelines to viral quotes, Deion Sanders pushed Colorado into the national spotlight.
Coach Prime is here, and he's just getting started
Deion Sanders is SI's 2023 Sportsperson of the Year! https://t.co/Xebtm9bmNZ pic.twitter.com/Sdt500V93u
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 30, 2023
Still, Sanders’ selection has left many college football fans with mixed feelings:
Is there a more hyped team in CFB history coming off a 4-8 season?
— Penn State FB Thoughts (@PSU_FB_Thoughts) November 30, 2023
Were these the same voters that chose People’s Sexiest man? https://t.co/ADpgWwFHU7 pic.twitter.com/yKoIx8EkIv
— Twice Sifted (@twice_sifted) November 30, 2023
Imagine the love this program will next season if they win two conference games! https://t.co/tOP0dICwBy
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 30, 2023
Growing up in Boulder, graduating from CU and being a supporter of the university for more 30 years – I couldn’t be happier with the impact @DeionSanders, his family @DeionSandersJr @ShedeurSanders @ShiloSanders and their crew are having in Boulder! 🙏🏼🍾💯 https://t.co/i439vYkqls
— Mike Cordano (@BoulderBuff87) November 30, 2023
This is a well deserved honor for Coach Prime who continues to take the college football world by storm! The attention he generates has been so good for the sport. https://t.co/5WlnJ1dYAU
— Kelsey Nicole Nelson (KNN) (@therealknelson) November 30, 2023
Some things are bigger than just wins and losses. The impact @DeionSanders made in Boulder and in college football were numerous. Well deserved https://t.co/6W7R2CuSq3
— Justin Adams (@justinadamsTV) November 30, 2023
Are they only counting January through September as 2023? https://t.co/Wt6xz7lnwb
— Shane Carter (@ShaneCarterTx) November 30, 2023
When did mediocrity warrant being Sportsperson of the year? Colorado went 4-8 this year and Jackson St didn’t even win their championship bowl game in his last two seasons there. What has been accomplished to be 2023 sportsperson of the year?
— Tim Brown Jr. ♟ (@nash10rounder) November 30, 2023
I’m most excited that Peggy made the cover of Sports Illustrated. #GoBuffs https://t.co/i0dA5c7cKa
— Michael Fields (@MichaelCLFields) November 30, 2023
I'm seeing so much hate about this and it's strange. Wasn't Colorado the topic of discussion and debate in 2023? Wasn't Colorado the hottest college campus this year? Wasn't the viewership of Colorado games higher? Did the city of Boulder make more or less money? Prime did that. https://t.co/rPIhzMrVxV
— Peak Work Archie (@JoshHarris25) November 30, 2023
People will hate regardless but the reality is Deion Sanders was the most talked about person in sports and Colorado was the most talked about team in sports ALL YEAR LONG.
Those are the facts: The cover does not say “the person who won the most games”👌🏽 https://t.co/ysm29Vzzhr
— IGOTTIMETODAY (@Reallytheitgirl) November 30, 2023
