Deion Sanders criticizes NCAA, says players are 'athlete-students'
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Deion Sanders criticizes NCAA, says players are 'athlete-students'
Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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4 min read
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Coloradofootball coachDeion Sanderswants a commissioner to govern the newWild West of college footballand declared that college players are no longer student-athletes but instead are athlete-students.
Sanders said this on ESPN'sFirst Takeon Friday, Feb. 6, after traveling to California's Bay Area to do media interviews at the site ofSuper Bowl 60. One of the show's panelists, Ryan Clark, used the term "student-athlete" to ask him about how times have changed in college football, leading Sanders to interject and correct him.
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"It's athlete-student," Sanders said. "Ain't no student-athlete no more."
Sanders noted his team recently had thehighest grade-point averagein the history of Colorado football in 2024 (3.011). But he criticized the timing of the transfer portal this year, when players could enter it from Jan. 2-16. Colorado started spring-semester classes Jan. 8, putting the school in a crunch as it tried to enroll more than 40 new transfers. The NCAA's Division I Administrative Committee adopted the transfer portal dates last fall.
"How is it about the student-athletes when we have a portal at the time that we had?" Sanders asked. "Now our academic departments have to work their butts off even to get all these kids enrolled. That was tremendous. That was a tremendous task. And I thank our CU department for doing that. But (the NCAA is) not thinking about the academic part of the students. They're thinking about the athletic parts, because that's the part that provokes the most money."
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks the sideline during the first quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field on Sept. 20, 2025 in Boulder, Colo.
(Andrew Wevers, Getty Images)
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium in Houston on Sept. 12, 2025.
(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens on Sept. 6, 2025 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders congratulates Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter following a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. on Aug. 29, 2025.
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
2025: Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and head coach Todd Bowles look on during the 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center on July 23, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
2025: Colorado head coach Deion Sanders speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star on July 9, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
(Raymond Carlin III, Imagn Images)
2025: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes looks on as a field goal drill is attempted in the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 19, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado.
(Dustin Bradford, Getty Images for ONIT)
2025: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks on the field during the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 19, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado.
(Dustin Bradford, Getty Images for ONIT)
2024: Deion Sanders embraces Travis Hunter after the wide receiver/cornerback won the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
(Todd Van Emst, Heisman Trust via Imagn Images)
2024: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches from the sidelines during the second half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
2024: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches as his team plays their spring game at Folsom Field on April 27, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado.
(Matthew Stockman, Getty Images)
2024: Shilo Sanders (21), Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and social media producer Deion Sanders Jr. following a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field.
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
2023: Colorado football coach Deion Sanders and celebrity guest picker Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson exchange pleasantries on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the Buffaloes game against Colorado State at Folsom Field on Boulder, Colorado.
(Andrew Wevers, USA TODAY Sports)
2023: Colorado coach Deion Sanders in attendance before the national championship game.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
2022: Deion Sanders is introduced as the head coach of the University of Colorado.
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
2022: Deion Sanders during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders went 27-6 in three seasons leading Jackson State.
(Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports)
2021: Deion Sanders coaches during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders required a scooter following blood clot issues that ultimately led to the amputation of some toes.
(Mickey Welsh, USA TODAY NETWORK)
2017: Deion Sanders, working for NFL Network, interviews New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount during Super Bowl LI Opening Night at Minute Maid Park.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
Melissa Stark (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Kurt Warner (right) smile during an NFL Network broadcast at the Super Bowl XLIX NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center on Jan. 26, 2015.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
Rich Eisen (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Michael Irvin on the NFL Network set before the "Thursday Night Football" game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on Dec. 5, 2013.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
2013: Deion Sanders as "Leon Sandcastle" of Primetime University arrives on the red carpet prior to the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
NFL network broadcaster Deion Sanders interviews San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Jan. 29, 2013.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
2011: Former Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders poses with his bust at the Enshrinement Ceremony for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 6, 2011 in Canton, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
Deion Sanders makes his return to football with the Baltimore Ravens after a three-year retirement in the 2004 season opener iat Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 12, 2004. The Browns beat the Ravens, 20-3, in the game.
(Matthew Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
2003: Deion Sanders and family celebrate Kids Day at the New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Hornets NBA game at Madison Square Garden in New York, on Nov. 29, 2003.
(Ray Amati, Getty Images)
2000: Washington's Deion Sanders jukes the Detroit Lions' Brock Olivo at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, on Sept. 10, 2000.
(JEFF KOWALSKY, AFP via Getty Images)
1999: Dallas Cowboys defensive back Deion Sanders acknowleges the cheering crowd after intercepting his first pass of the game versus the Miami Dolphins at Texas Stadium, November 25,1999 in Irving, Texas.
(Paul Buck, AFP via Getty Images)
The Dallas Cowboys' Deion Sanders outdistances Indianapolis Colts defensive back Tito Wooten to score a touchdown at the RCA Dome on Oct. 31, 1999.
(JOHN RUTHROFF, AFP via Getty Images)
1997: Deion Sanders at the plate for the Cincinnati Reds during the 1997 season. The Reds were among four different MLB teams that Sanders played for during a nine-season career.
(Tony Tomsic, USA TODAY Sports)
On Oct. 11, 1992, Deion Sanders played in a game against the Miami Dolphins, then flew to Pittsburgh for the Atlanta Braves' NLCS game against the Pirates (he did not appear in the game).
(H. DARR BEISER, USA TODAY)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Deion Sanders (21) on a kick return against the Green Bay Packers at Fulton County Stadium on Dec. 1, 1991.
(Manny Rubio, US PRESSWIRE)
The Atlanta Braves' Deion Sanders bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 7, 1991.
(Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons' Deion Sanders in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium on Sept. 17, 1989.
(US PRESSWIRE)
Deion Sanders was a two-time All-American, the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award winner and a 2011 College Football Hall of Fame inductee.
(Allen Steele, Getty Images)
1/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks the sideline during the first quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field on Sept. 20, 2025 in Boulder, Colo.
(Andrew Wevers, Getty Images)
1/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks the sideline during the first quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field on Sept. 20, 2025 in Boulder, Colo.
(Andrew Wevers, Getty Images)
2/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium in Houston on Sept. 12, 2025.
(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)
3/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens on Sept. 6, 2025 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
4/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders congratulates Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter following a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. on Aug. 29, 2025.
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
5/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2025: Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and head coach Todd Bowles look on during the 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center on July 23, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
6/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2025: Colorado head coach Deion Sanders speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star on July 9, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
(Raymond Carlin III, Imagn Images)
7/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2025: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes looks on as a field goal drill is attempted in the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 19, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado.
(Dustin Bradford, Getty Images for ONIT)
8/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2025: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks on the field during the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 19, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado.
(Dustin Bradford, Getty Images for ONIT)
9/34
Deion Sanders through the years
2024: Deion Sanders embraces Travis Hunter after the wide receiver/cornerback won the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
(Todd Van Emst, Heisman Trust via Imagn Images)
10/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2024: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches from the sidelines during the second half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
11/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2024: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches as his team plays their spring game at Folsom Field on April 27, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado.
(Matthew Stockman, Getty Images)
12/34
Deion Sanders through the years
2024: Shilo Sanders (21), Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and social media producer Deion Sanders Jr. following a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field.
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
13/34
Deion Sanders through the years
2023: Colorado football coach Deion Sanders and celebrity guest picker Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson exchange pleasantries on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the Buffaloes game against Colorado State at Folsom Field on Boulder, Colorado.
(Andrew Wevers, USA TODAY Sports)
14/34
Deion Sanders through the years
2023: Colorado coach Deion Sanders in attendance before the national championship game.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
15/34
Deion Sanders through the years
2022: Deion Sanders is introduced as the head coach of the University of Colorado.
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
16/34
Deion Sanders through the years
2022: Deion Sanders during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders went 27-6 in three seasons leading Jackson State.
(Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports)
17/34
Deion Sanders through the years
2021: Deion Sanders coaches during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders required a scooter following blood clot issues that ultimately led to the amputation of some toes.
(Mickey Welsh, USA TODAY NETWORK)
18/34
Deion Sanders through the years
2017: Deion Sanders, working for NFL Network, interviews New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount during Super Bowl LI Opening Night at Minute Maid Park.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
19/34
Deion Sanders through the years
Melissa Stark (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Kurt Warner (right) smile during an NFL Network broadcast at the Super Bowl XLIX NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center on Jan. 26, 2015.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
20/34
Deion Sanders through the years
Rich Eisen (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Michael Irvin on the NFL Network set before the "Thursday Night Football" game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on Dec. 5, 2013.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
21/34
Deion Sanders through the years
2013: Deion Sanders as "Leon Sandcastle" of Primetime University arrives on the red carpet prior to the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
22/34
Deion Sanders through the years
NFL network broadcaster Deion Sanders interviews San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Jan. 29, 2013.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
23/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2011: Former Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders poses with his bust at the Enshrinement Ceremony for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 6, 2011 in Canton, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
24/34
Deion Sanders through the years
Deion Sanders makes his return to football with the Baltimore Ravens after a three-year retirement in the 2004 season opener iat Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 12, 2004. The Browns beat the Ravens, 20-3, in the game.
(Matthew Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
25/34
Deion Sanders through the years
2003: Deion Sanders and family celebrate Kids Day at the New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Hornets NBA game at Madison Square Garden in New York, on Nov. 29, 2003.
(Ray Amati, Getty Images)
26/34
Deion Sanders through the years
2000: Washington's Deion Sanders jukes the Detroit Lions' Brock Olivo at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, on Sept. 10, 2000.
(JEFF KOWALSKY, AFP via Getty Images)
27/34
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
1999: Dallas Cowboys defensive back Deion Sanders acknowleges the cheering crowd after intercepting his first pass of the game versus the Miami Dolphins at Texas Stadium, November 25,1999 in Irving, Texas.
(Paul Buck, AFP via Getty Images)
28/34
Deion Sanders through the years
The Dallas Cowboys' Deion Sanders outdistances Indianapolis Colts defensive back Tito Wooten to score a touchdown at the RCA Dome on Oct. 31, 1999.
(JOHN RUTHROFF, AFP via Getty Images)
29/34
Deion Sanders through the years
1997: Deion Sanders at the plate for the Cincinnati Reds during the 1997 season. The Reds were among four different MLB teams that Sanders played for during a nine-season career.
(Tony Tomsic, USA TODAY Sports)
30/34
Deion Sanders through the years
On Oct. 11, 1992, Deion Sanders played in a game against the Miami Dolphins, then flew to Pittsburgh for the Atlanta Braves' NLCS game against the Pirates (he did not appear in the game).
(H. DARR BEISER, USA TODAY)
31/34
Deion Sanders through the years
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Deion Sanders (21) on a kick return against the Green Bay Packers at Fulton County Stadium on Dec. 1, 1991.
(Manny Rubio, US PRESSWIRE)
32/34
Deion Sanders through the years
The Atlanta Braves' Deion Sanders bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 7, 1991.
(Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)
33/34
Deion Sanders through the years
The Atlanta Falcons' Deion Sanders in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium on Sept. 17, 1989.
(US PRESSWIRE)
34/34
Deion Sanders through the years
Deion Sanders was a two-time All-American, the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award winner and a 2011 College Football Hall of Fame inductee.
(Allen Steele, Getty Images)
Deion Sanders calls for college football commissioner
Sanders also was asked about the state of college football in general with players earning money for their names, images and likenesses (NIL). He criticized how schools withthe wealthiest donorshave an edge and called for something similar to the NFL, which shares revenue with teams and is overseen by a commissioner. He said he loves that players are compensated but there "should be rules and guidelines for that compensation."
"What the NIL is presenting is not sustainable," Sanders said. "Oftentimes it seems like you see the same consistency of teams winning and winning and winning because of the finances that some of the boosters and the donors can give. But that needs to be fixed, and we need some type of commissioner. And we need somebody to step up and make sure we're doing this thing in unison, so that you don't have certain teams that's able to do well beyond this team. And you know this team is not going to win because of the lack thereof of finances."
Deion Sanders has new distaste for NFL
Last year around this time, Sanders hadflirted with the Dallas Cowboyswhen they had an opening for a new head coach. He has said before that he'd only be interested in such a jobif he could coach his sons. But after what happened with his sonShedeurlast year, he said he has no interest.
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"None whatsoever," he said. "What transpired with my son last year, ain't no way in the world. Nah."
Shedeur Sanderswas projected as a first-round draft pick but fell all the way to the fifth round before getting picked by theCleveland Browns. Some critics of the team believed the Browns weren't giving Shedeur a fair shot until injuries paved the way for him to finish the season as the starting quarterback.
"I know what's behind the curtains," Sanders said. "I know all the bull junk that transpired."
But he promised this year will be different for his family, including his Colorado team, which finished 3-9 in 2025.
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"We back," he said. "This year, '26 is ours. We're gonna dominate this year from the top to the bottom."
Who does Deion Sanders predict to win Super Bowl 60?
Sanders' lack of interest in the NFL also apparently extends toSunday's Super Bowl. Before he finished his appearance on the show, Sanders was asked for his prediction on who would win the game between theSeattle SeahawksandNew England Patriots.
