When they met for the first time in January 2023, what did Deion Sanders tell then-98-year-old Peggy Coppom? “When we have the spring game, we need to bring you down on the field for the kick-off.” A few months later, at his first spring game as the Buffaloes head coach, Coach Prime made true on that promise. Miss Peggy did the honorary kickoff in front of a sold-out crowd. But what do you get the ultimate Colorado Buffaloes fan for her 100th birthday? Well, if you’re Deion Sanders, you make a promise or two.

Earlier this season, the Colorado Buffs head coach made sure their biggest superfan got her dream bowl game “dedicated” to her, sealing the deal with a 34-23 win against the Cincinnati Bearcats. It made the program bowl-eligible for the first time since 2020, and the Buffaloes reached the 6 wins in a season mark for the first time since 2016. After the win, Sanders said, “We told [Miss Peggy] she’s going to a bowl. Now we want to make sure she goes to the best possible bowl that she could possibly go to.

Three weeks later, after wins over Texas Tech and Utah, Deion Sanders & Co. are in prime position to play in the Big 12 Championship game, owing to their second-place spot in the conference, only behind BYU. If they keep this form up and continue winning, they’re well-positioned for a postseason run, and the Buffs’ 6-1 conference record could put them in a position to control their own playoff destiny. So, it’s safe to say that things are looking up for Colorado, especially after their 4-8 season in 2023.

Before the Buffs took on Utah last weekend, Deion Sanders addressed Miss Peggy’s 100th birthday and the promise he made to her. “She gives me so much energy every darn time I see her. You guys thought I was joking. I was really dedicated to getting Peggy to a bowl game. Now, we’re trying to get Peggy to the game. Yeah, it was a bowl game. Now, it is the game.” 

It’s evident Coach Prime is aiming for the Big 12 Championship game (and more). And seeing how much Peggy Coppom means to the program, he wants her there. But when Sanders got the opportunity to ask her directly, he didn’t think twice. It happened after a week of celebrations at the University of Colorado, honoring Miss Peggy when she joined the Buff head coach for his Tuesday press conference on her birthday.

After everyone in the room had asked the newly turned 100-year-old questions about the celebrations, Deion Sanders, with a playful grin, asked, “I have one last question for Miss Peggy. Which bowl do you wanna go to?” The room went silent as everyone waited, eyes fixed on her, for her reply. With a sparkle in her eyes and wisdom in her voice, she delivered a perfect one-liner.

“Well, I’ll take anything they give us,” she said. The audience burst into laughter, and Deion clapped his hands with a macho half-smile on his face, clearly delighted. Miss Peggy, once again, captured the heart of the audience, proving her love for the Buffaloes runs deeper than any bowl dream. That’s Miss Peggy for you! Did you know she and her late twin sister, Betty, were inducted into the Legacy Wing of CU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022? That’s how important the “Buffs Twins” have been for the university. Speaking of her sister…

Miss Peggy couldn’t help but talk about Betty, too, whom she lost in 2020 due to illness. “I just wish my twin sister were here. It all started because we were twins. I can’t deny that we’ve been loyal fans, but I said to get all this attention for just having a good time is unbelievable.” This wasn’t the only thing that made Peggy Coppom, who’s attended all but 3 home games since 1966, emotional during her visit to the university.

A week of celebrations that included a party in Boulder on Sunday also saw Miss Peggy attend the Colorado vs. Utah game on Saturday. As the then-soon-to-be 100-year-old walked onto the field, a sold-out Folsom Field sang “Happy Birthday” in unison, bringing Coppom to tears. And Deion Sanders, too! Well, almost. Talking about that experience in the Tuesday press conference, Miss Peggy said,

“I haven’t even comprehended it yet. I cried.” She added, “I just thank god for my life and for all my friends and for everything that’s happened to me.” As for Coach Prime, he described it as an “epic” moment. “I had to turn away from the screen because I was getting ready to cry. And I didn’t want the opposing team to think they making me cry. No, it was Peggy.”

That said, Coach Prime is all about giving—giving a shot at a future for college athletes and giving to the state of Colorado. So the Buffs’ head coach made sure Peggy Coppom’s milestone birthday was one for history books by giving her the best. Beyond his bowl game vow to her (with the added promise of a private plane: “we ain’t putting Peggy on a regular plane”), Deion announced the launch of a special line of Colorado-themed apparel named after her, Miss Peggy.

Here’s a kicker: A slice of the proceeds will go to benefit Miss Peggy and her beautiful family, adding even more heart to the celebration. The entire state of Colorado plugged in for this moment today. No wonder why Miss Peggy is the soul of the Buffs football.

Deion Sanders and Miss Peggy: A special friendship

Well, for the Boulder community, Peggy Coppom is more than just a fan—she’s an icon, the real G of Colorado football. She isn’t casual like some of us, hopping onto the Colorado train since Deion logged in. Miss Peggy and her twin sister Betty have been riding with the Buffs since the 1940s, attending the Buffs football and basketball games, dressed in their matching yellow sweaters.

When Deion Sanders took the coaching job at Boulder in 2022, he quickly acknowledged Miss Peggy’s impact and aura. He even made a special home visit to greet her personally and seek her blessings. It was the beginning of a heartwarming bond that has inspired fans across generations.

Since then, Deion and Miss Peggy have become an unforgettable duo—a ride-or-die type of duo. Sanders has often praised her, sharing how her presence brings joy and hope to the program and the entire community. “Miss Peggy, in her own tremendous, loving way, gives all of us hope,” he said. “She gives all of us that unspeakable joy, that love, that respect.”

For her centenary birthday, he went above and beyond, launching a Miss Peggy-inspired line of Colorado apparel, with part of the proceeds benefiting her and her family. This type of gesture perfectly highlights what kind of man Deion Sanders is. And, the special place Deion Sanders holds in his heart for the heart of the Colorado Football, Miss Peggy.