If asked to name some of the famous players, chances are the first impressions one would have been of boastful actions on the football field and an even more boastful demeanor off it. However, the showman’s veneer masks a sincere responsibility for his athletes’ development in his football group.

Following their victory over North Dakota State, Deion Sanders explained game tactics but also spoke the language of character-building aimed at refining his players. His post-game speech was uploaded by Reach The People Media on YouTube. It isn’t about football, learning fancy tricks on the field; it is about creating men out of them with integrity and a strong spirit. “I want you to become a man, not just football players,” he further encouraged change.

In his speech after the game, he applauded the spirit by saying, “What I’m proud about is the resilience. What I’m thankful for is that you didn’t give up.” At least, it is evident that he appreciates their hard work as well as talent. Coaching is not only about placing players in correct positions or about different strategies; it is also about teaching the right lessons of life to the players. During a time when many coaches may not care about the moral path of their players as long as they are winners, this man makes it his goal to help create better individuals who take responsibility for their actions.

This is not just a statement from a coach; it is easily seen in how he treats his players. He thanked and appreciated the coaches who trained them for the game: “I’m just proud of y’all, man… because I want you to become men, not just football players.” The real satisfaction derived from their growth, he wants, is not for them to be successful only in the field but in life in general. The mantra is simple: overcoming challenges not only builds football players but also helps cultivate better people.

And after the game, Coach Prime didn’t play whatever little mind games were left. He laid it out there, saying, “Everything never goes like you’re going to want it to in life, but to step through and past those trials and tribulations, that was unbelievable.”

He made sure to take this opportunity to remind his players that there is more to sports than whether or not they win a game and to focus on the process of getting ready for the same. He hardly puts up any façade, thus the players respect him and relate to him as a friend.

Lessons in life and football: Deion Sanders’ inspiring approach

During the post-game conference, Sanders also applauded player efforts where he gave a game ball to Rick. “He gets a game ball today, you know why? Because he never stopped believing in us,” Sanders said. That was far more than a reward; it was proof of the culture of belief and support he is developing inside the team.

This kind of leadership is seen very few times. Interestingly enough, Sanders is very strict with them yet at the same time motivating, saying, ‘You have to be better than you are.’ He is not only a coach but a life coach, an instructor, and indeed a father figure to them. His comment makes much sense and fosters a nurturing and risk-embracing culture for players. “You grew today… you have grown today tremendously,” he told them.

Still, Sanders didn’t rest on the laurels, even when he came to a victory. He stressed the need for time consciousness as well as decision-making, most of which he has to make regarding his son Shedeur’s actions on the field. “I’m just reminding him of the darn clock,” he said, implying that consciousness is needed during critical stages. Despite this, the Buffs weren’t entirely cruising against North Dakota State by committing some poor decision-making that could have cost them the game. Yet Sanders used it as a teaching moment, not just for Shedeur but for the entire team.

After the game, Shedeur was equally optimistic as his father and said, “Everything in my life, I always was able to learn from it.” While it can’t be a simple father-son or a son-to-the-father thing, it is a learning process. But more than building a spirit of rivalry in the course of the tournament, Sanders’ approach also trains his players for what life immediately offers them after, telling them that every loss is a lesson, every defeat a training.

As these young men of the Colorado Buffaloes embark on the season this year, Deion Sanders aims to transform them. It is not an easy route, but with such a leader as Deion Sanders, these players are now being taught how to walk such a path with purpose and might!