Colorado RB Quits Football After Serious Injury, What Deion Sanders Does Next Will Make You Emotional

Deion Sanders’ path from Neon Deion to Coach Prime has been pretty remarkable. Once known for his flamboyant style—complete with “flashy suits, alligator shoes, gold chains, signature diamond-studded dollar sign,” as his Falcons mate Tim Green would like to put it—the boy who once seemed too self-indulgent soon became the man who’d keep his boys at the top. Once in Boulder, the team was a dilapidated group reeling off a 1-11 humiliation in 2022. From there to reversing the script to a 4-8 the next season, followed by a 9-4 after that, he single-handedly changed what it meant to be a Buffs player.

Leading with this much heart, mind, and soul, the 57-year-old created a tribe. Be it Travis Hunter calling the coach his “father figure” or the latter graciously accepting to be dutifully accompanying WR Jimmy Horn Jr’s on Senior Day while his father was in prison, the coach has been around where he ought to be. So, on Tuesday, when Buffs’ Charlie Offerdahl informed that he’d be stepping away from football, owing to repeated concussions, the weight in Sanders’ voice hung heavy. As per an Instagram post shared by the Buffs coach a few hours ago, while the retiring player took turns thanking everyone, he let it all out for his mentor. “I love you, Coach,” Offerdahl began.

“You know, when you first came in, you believed in me when nobody else did. Not even myself, and I can’t thank you enough for that.” What Offerdahl didn’t know was Coach Prime had already made up his mind about him,” he further said. That’s when Deion showed exactly what makes him different. 

With cameras rolling, Coach Prime looked Charlie in the eye and said, “There’s somebody out there who’s in control of a dental school. I want to make sure we take care of him…we’re going to get somebody out there to bless you…I know you’re stepping away from this, but we’re going to continue your scholarship…I want to make sure we take care of him…Pay for everything for him, because I love him. He deserves it.” Sure, Charlie won’t be tackling linebackers anymore, but his coach has made sure he won’t be tackling dental school tuition bills alone either.

Notably, the Littleton, Colorado native had joined CU as a walk-on and earned his scholarship during Sanders’ first year with the team. He ends his college football career with 65 career rushing attempts over three seasons for 280 rushing yards and one touchdown (Bowl stats included). Offerdahl was reportedly dealing with multiple challenges besides the concussions, including a leg injury that sidelined him for the final four games of the 2023 season. But now, Charlie’s made the difficult but wise call to prioritize his long-term well-being over continuing to play.

So, as the running back leaves his past behind, here’s to hoping he’ll continue soaring far from Coach Prime’s tutelage, too.