During a recent appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders announced that 2013 NFL Hall of Fame inductee Warren Sapp will be joining the Buffaloes coaching staff.
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But being an NFL living legend — one who will likely have an instant impact on Coach Prime's defensive line — didn't immediately equate to it being an automatic layup in Sapp coming onboard. Having recently earned his college degree is what appeared to have officially cleared the pathway for the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, which is really an awesome thing from multiple perspectives.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame sends congratulations to @WarrenSapp!
Three decades after first leaving college for the NFL, the member of the Class of 2013 has earned his college degree. pic.twitter.com/PKIoov2BOh
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 20, 2023
From The Coloradoan:
"To see him go get his diploma, because I know what he wants to do, he wants to coach on this staff and he wants to be a part of this staff and he is going to be a part of this staff, he's unbelievable," Sanders said on the Rich Eisen Show. "The kids love him. Oh my God, they love him. When the D-line sees him, they light up like a Christmas tree."
The Christmas tree reference was right on the money, because the Colorado roster just got an early gift that likely has the defense already fired up for what's to come.
Simply put, adding a personality like Sapp to the mix makes for such an exceptional hire, as he houses the ideal type of vibrant presence to go along with Deion's natural animated nature.
Colorado showed throughout the course of the 2023 season that it would be in clear need of some reinforcements on both sides of the line, and you know they'll be coming. And, now, having a guy like Sapp to coach them up serves as a special kind of cherry on top.
His list of football accomplishments from his days with the Miami Hurricanes to his 13 seasons in the NFL — most of which were spent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — is absurdly lengthy, as there's just not much the dominant defensive tackle didn't achieve in a big way.
One would imagine that any football player on the defensive side of the ball that's either coming out of high school or one that's currently in the transfer portal might be rerouting their landing spot upon learning of this news.
The addition of Sapp almost feels like landing a top recruit, as there's just not many college football staffs out there who can boast that they have such an accomplished, highly regarded NFL Hall of Famer that will be working closely with their respective defensive lines.
The following quote from Coach Prime really says it all when it comes to the type of significant impact Sapp will have on players:
"One of the most beautiful sights I've seen was after practice one day, he just came here to kick it and see me, and he was in the hot tub because, you know, his body is still banged up as well. At first it was one guy. I looked down there 30 minutes later, you got the whole defensive line in the hot tub and he's holding court. He captivated all of their attention and they're hanging on to every word. He has so much to give and I can't wait to see him on a daily basis."
Sounds about right. And that was just on a personal visit to see his friend. Now Sapp is onboard to officially begin weaving his defensive wand.
Another day, another win for Deion Sanders.
