The festive spirit is alive and kicking at the Colorado Buffaloes’ team hotel in San Antonio, and leave it to Deion Sanders and squad to mix holiday cheer with their signature swagger. With the Buffs gearing up for their Alamo Bowl showdown on New Year’s Eve, you’d expect a strict, no-nonsense atmosphere. But amid the drills and playbook revisions, there was room for a bit of holiday mischief, and you got to keep quiet as there’s a Secret Santa here. And safe to say he blessed the No. 1 NIL athlete, Shedeur Sanders, with a very humble gift, hilariously appreciated by the QB1. And, oh boy, it was as Colorado as it gets.

It wasn’t just the gifts that had everyone buzzing—it was the way the Buffs, led by their charismatic QB Shedeur Sanders, embraced the moment. In a video posted by the No. 20 ranked team on Instagram, players exchanged gifts in pairs by position, ranging from the thoughtful to the downright hilarious. But one gift stole the show: sophomore backup quarterback Colton Allen’s offering to QB1. Sanders, valued at $5.1 million, unwrapped a neon G-Shock watch, a gift far humbler than his usual fare but no less appreciated. Flexed in his typical 2Legendary manner, flashing the watch to a chorus of laughter and hype from his teammates.

The gift wasn’t about the price tag of #14’s gift, it was about the brotherhood. Allen’s gesture reflected the camaraderie that Deion Sanders has fostered in Boulder, a culture where players can let loose and share a laugh while remaining laser-focused on their goals.

“It’s all love here,” Shedeur Sanders once said of his teammates, as his others echoed the sentiment. The Buffs’ Instagram thread, captioned “Secret Santa 🎁,” showcased other moments of holiday joy, like wide receiver Drelon Miller gifting a teammate a coveted pair of Jordans. It was a snapshot of a team that knows how to balance business with fun.

For Deion Sanders, this wasn’t just a holiday gimmick—it was a masterstroke in leadership. Amidst the strict expectations he set for his players during bowl prep, the Secret Santa exchange served as a pressure valve. It reminded everyone, from five-star recruits like Lewis, who can be seen in the background enjoying the culture to walk-ons, that football is a game, and games are meant to be enjoyed. Moments like these underscore the human side of the sport.

The Buffs prepare to take on BYU, the secret Santa exchange feels like a metaphor for their season: a mix of discipline, personality, and plenty of surprises. Sanders, rocking his neon G-Shock, will lead his team onto the field with the same flair.

Playtime is over: Deion Sanders the strict coach

While the Secret Santa exchange was allowed to enhance a deeper sense of brotherhood, don’t take Coach Prime’s gesture for granted. Deion Sanders isn’t playing around as the Colorado Buffaloes gear up for their Alamo Bowl showdown against BYU. With the team settled in San Antonio, Coach Prime laid down the law, leaving no room for confusion about what he expected.

Professionalism is the name of the game, both on and off the field, and Sanders made it crystal clear: this isn’t the time for anyone to get sloppy. His message? Simple but stern.

There will be no lounging around in pyjamas or sweats in the team hotel—it’s all about carrying yourself like a pro. And if you’re thinking about lighting up or causing a ruckus, think again. Sanders didn’t hold back, delivering a warning that left zero wiggle room: “You embarrass us or this university, you won’t get a second chance. If I smell smoke on any floor, or hear about it, that’s your last puff. Period.” The good thing is Santa has already distributed his gifts before it gets serious.