Sports Illustrated (SI) has crowned the University of Colorado Buffaloes head football coach, Deion Sanders, as “Sports Illustrated Sportsperson Of The Year” in 2023.
Editor in Chief of Sports Illustrated, Stephen Cannella, emphasized Sanders’ dominance in the sports conversation throughout 2023, highlighting his impact both on and off the field.
Cannella stated, “On and off the field, he represents a new model for the modern college coach. The Sportsperson of the Year honor, a distinction for some of the most legendary figures in sports over the past seven decades, is now enriched by the addition of Deion to its roster.”
Sports Illustrated’s 2023 Sportsperson of the Year:
Deion Sanders. pic.twitter.com/NrMDUQHyup
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 30, 2023
Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated six times since November 1989.
Established in 1954, the SI Sportsperson of the Year award acknowledges an individual or team that best embodies the spirit of sportsmanship, character, and performance.
Sanders joins an illustrious list of honorees, including Stephen Curry, Tom Brady, Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe, and LeBron James.
He stands as the seventh coach to receive this accolade, following in the footsteps of coaching legends such as Pat Summit, Mike Krzyzewski, Don Shula, Dean Smith, and John Wooden.
Before leading the Colorado Buffaloes, Sanders had a storied 14-season NFL career, playing for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Baltimore Ravens.
An eight-time Pro Bowler, Sanders left an indelible mark on the league with 53 career interceptions, ranking 22nd all-time.
His 25.1-yards per interception return average stands as the second-highest in NFL history.
Sanders’s career statistics include 270 solo tackles, 5 forced fumbles, and 94 passes defended.
Beyond his defensive prowess, Sanders showcased his versatility with a total of 18 career touchdowns, comprising six on punt returns, three on kickoff returns, and nine from interceptions.
Selected fifth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft, Sanders earned nicknames such as “Neon Deion” and “Prime Time” during his playing days.
Transitioning from player to coach, Sanders served as the head football coach at Jackson State University from 2020 to 2022, achieving remarkable success, including two consecutive Celebration Bowl appearances and the school’s first undefeated regular season.
Next, Sanders was named the head football coach at the University of Colorado Boulder toward the end of the 2022 season.
In Deion Sanders’ inaugural season as the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team, the team displayed a promising start with a 3-0 record.
However, the season took a downturn as they faced challenges in the latter part, losing four of their last five games. The Buffaloes concluded the season with a 4-8 overall record.
Notably, four of their seven losses were by a touchdown or less. In Pac-12 conference play, the Buffaloes struggled, finishing with a 1-6 record.
Shedeur Sanders, a key player, was sidelined for the entire season due to challenges posed by an overmatched offensive line.
