Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders struggled to keep his emotions in check as he delivered a heartbreaking eulogy at the funeral of his late quarterback Dominiq Ponder on Saturday.
Ponder, a 23-year-old sophomore, tragically died in the early hours of last Sunday morning in Boulder after losing control of his Tesla, and a celebration of life was held on the college campus for his family, friends and teammates.
Sanders – widely known as Coach Prime – took to the stage to deliver a short speech about the quarterback just days after his death, and he appeared choked up on multiple occasions as he spoke.
He began by admitting it ‘didn’t feel right’ to speak directly after Ponder’s family members, and went on to explain how much he is ‘inspired’ by them.
He then said: ‘We always ask questions about why this happened… “God, why this and why that?” When we’re successful and we’re excelling and overcoming adversity, we never ask God “why” then, only in our demise and sadness of life, we challenge and ask God, “why”. I think I’ve got the solution.
‘As I look right there, and look at a young man so full of life, so full of respect, hustle, hard work and integrity… I ask God, “for real?” And He whispered: “Dom was chosen.”
Deion Sanders got choked up as he addressed Dominiq Ponder’s family at his memorial service
Ponder’s devastated family thanked fans and the Colorado community for their support
Sanders stood at the front of the service to give his thoughts on the tragic late quarterback
‘Dom was chosen to unite y’all, to bring you all together… Dom was chosen.’
As he continued his eulogy, Sanders continued to address Ponder’s family, before getting particularly choked up as he said: ‘The only darn thing I have regret for, is that when you sent us a boy… I wanted to send you back a man.’
Ahead of the ceremony, Ponder’s family expressed their ‘heartfelt gratitude for the love, prayers, and support shown during this incredibly difficult time.’
They added: ‘Your kindness, encouragement, and presence have brought comfort and strength to our family.
‘We are deeply thankful to everyone who has reached out, offered words of compassion, and joined us in celebrating Dominiq’s life and legacy. Your support means more to us than words can truly express.
‘Thank you for honoring Dominiq’s life and keeping his memory alive in your hearts.’
The Buffaloes revealed details of the memorial service on social media earlier this week
Ponder, 23, was a backup quarterback at Colorado who played twice for the team in 2025
In a separate statement, the family thanked Sanders individually, writing: ‘We would like to extend a very special thank you to Coach Deion Sanders for his unwavering generosity, support, and love shown to our family.’
In the wake of his death, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ponder’s grieving parents, Catrina and Wendell, and his siblings, Carl and Monroe, as they walk through these next steps.
All proceeds will go directly to his parents to help with funeral expenses and to support them during this incredibly difficult time.
Earlier this week, Sanders called an emergency team meeting as the Buffaloes embarked on their spring training after the program was left devastated by the news of the quarterback’s sudden passing.
Quarterback Ponder died last Sunday at the age of just 23 after losing control of his car
In a video shared by Thee Pregame Show on social media, members of the Colorado team were captured in tears, holding their heads in their hands or covering their faces with their shirts as they gathered to remember Ponder.
The 58-year-old Sanders, whose own sons Shedeur and Shilo previously played for the Buffaloes, was seen comforting his players, embracing them as they processed their grief.
The NFL legend then emotionally addressed the team, telling them to remember their teammate in heartbreaking scenes.
‘The good man that he was. His character, humor, work ethic, tenacity. It’s something that I want us to remember,’ Sanders told his players.
