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As the Colorado Buffaloes gear up for the 2025 NCAA season, head coach Deion Sanders finds himself at the center of controversy over his integration of religious practices into the team's culture.
Sanders, a devout Christian, has regularly incorporated prayers and the use of chaplains in the Buffaloes' schedule-a move that has drawn criticism from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which argues that such practices at a public university are unconstitutional.
Sanders stands firm on faith amid backlash
The FFRF claims that mandatory prayers and spiritual advisement within the program amount to religious coercion, potentially alienating players and staff who do not share the same beliefs.
While the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that a high school coach had the right to pray on the field as a form of private expression, critics argue that Sanders' locker room prayers create an environment where players might feel pressured to participate.
Despite the pushback, Sanders has shown no intention of changing his approach.
Throughout his tenure at Colorado, Sanders has embraced faith as a core pillar of his leadership.
He has frequently enlisted chaplains like Pastor E. Dewey Smith to speak to the team and has continued sharing religious messages on social media, posting statements such as, "Thank you Lord for everything" and "Thank you JESUS!"
Recently, Hollywood star and licensed minister Denzel Washington addressed the Buffaloes during a team meeting, reinforcing Sanders' approach to motivation through faith.
"When you pray for rain, you must also deal with the mud,"Washington told the players, using the metaphor to highlight the struggles that come with pursuing greatness.
He also assured them, "I'm not preaching to you or at you. I'm sharing my experience with you."
Despite growing criticism, Sanders remains unwavering.
His outspoken personality and steadfast faith suggest he is unlikely to alter his methods, even as legal and public pressure mounts.
Sanders is negotiating a new deal in Boulder
Amid the controversy, Sanders is also in discussions about a contract extension with Colorado.
During an appearance on The Morning Run, he made it clear he expects the university to meet his demands.
"These people better go and get my money and stop playing. Bye bye," Sanders remarked while walking away from the camera, prompting speculation about the progress of negotiations.
Sanders, who signed a five-year, $29.5 million contract in 2022, is currently in the third year of his deal.
His $5.7 million salary in 2024 places him outside the top 10 highest-paid college coaches, where salaries exceed $9 million annually.
With powerhouse programs like Georgia and Alabama paying their coaches over $13 million, Sanders may be pushing for a raise that reflects his high-profile impact on Colorado's program.
Whether Colorado agrees to a lucrative extension remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Sanders is staying true to his convictions, both on and off the field.