Deion Sanders, AKA “Coach Prime,” has finally hit the mainstream on a level that few others do when the legendary comedy show “Saturday Night Live” decided to parody the coach of the Colorado Buffaloes on their 2023 season premiere.
There have been few bigger stories in college football this year than the Buffaloes and their charismatic head coach Deion Sanders. The NFL legend had an impressive three-year run leading Jackson State that landed him the top job at the Pac-12 school.
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However, his gift for gab and promotion — along with Colorado’s strong play — turned the program into a ratings juggernaut over the first few weeks of the college football season. The media attention for the Buffs has slowed down in recent weeks after the team lost three of its last four, including a surprise upset defeat to Stanford on Saturday.
Yet, that has not changed the interest and fandom Sanders has created for himself with his style and approach to coaching over the last couple of months. And there is no better sign of how popular the former Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers star has become than being the source of a parody on the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.”
Deion Sanders record (Career): 31-9
On Saturday night, following the team’s loss to Stanford “Coach Prime” appeared on SNL’s popular Weekend Update segment. Playing Deion Sanders during the skit was talented SNL cast member Kenan Thompson. The moment can be viewed above.
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All the key elements that make Sanders so unique were hit on, down to the patented hoodie and sunglasses. Thompson nailed the coach’s uncanny bravado and charisma in a great segment that hit on the highs and lows of the Colorado Buffaloes season as the program has seen a major popularity resurgence in 2023.