He was just 23 years old.<\/p>\n
Sanders, 58, began his brief address by admitting that it \u201cdidn\u2019t feel right\u201d speaking directly after Ponder\u2019s family members, but underscored how \u201cinspired\u201d he was by them.<\/p>\n
![\"Deion](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-08-114452.png\")
Deion Sanders delivered a poignant eulogy for fallen Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder. X \/ @gucceCU<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always ask questions about why this happened\u2026 \u2018God, why this and why that?\u201d Sanders said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we\u2019re successful, we\u2019re excelling, and overcoming adversity, we never ask God \u2018why\u2019 then. Only in our demise and sadness of life, we challenge and ask God, \u2018why.\u2019 I think I\u2019ve got the solution.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I look right there, and look at a young man so full of life \u2014 so full of respect, hustle, hard work, and integrity\u2026 I ask God, \u2018for real?\u2019 And he whispered: \u2018Dom was chosen.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cDom was chosen to unite y\u2019all\u2026 to bring you all together,\u201d he added. \u201cDom was chosen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Continuing his eulogy, Sanders spoke directly to Ponder\u2019s family, offering heartfelt anecdotes and applauding the \u201cleader\u201d they raised.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only darn thing I have regret for is that when you sent us a boy,\u201d he paused as he became increasingly choked up. \u201cI wanted to send you back a man.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ponder joined Colorado as a walk-on quarterback in Sanders\u2019 first season at the helm, and he appeared in two games for the Buffaloes in 2025.<\/p>\n
![\"Colorado](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/colorado-quarterback-dominiq-ponder-colorado-122575408_285c32.jpg\")
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder died at 23 after a single-car accident. University of Colorado Buffaloes football team<\/p>\n
Ahead of the ceremony, Ponder\u2019s family expressed their \u201cheartfelt gratitude\u201d for the ongoing support they\u2019ve received over the last week.<\/p>\n
They issued a separate statement thanking Sanders, individually, commending the coach for his \u201cunwavering generosity, support, and love shown to our family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Upon learning of Ponder\u2019s devastating passing, Sanders \u2014 whose own sons, Shedeur and Shilo, previously played for the Buffaloes \u2014 called an emergency meeting to console his heartbroken team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a harrowing scene shared on social media, the NFL legend comforted his sobbing players and delivered a vulnerable address<\/a>, honoring Ponder and \u201cthe good man that he was.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHis character, humor, work ethic, and tenacity,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cIt\u2019s something that I want us to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n