IN PICS: Coach Prime shares nostalgic snap with eldest son Deion Sanders Jr. on Thanksgiving Day
Deion Sanders Jr., aka Bucky, is the eldest son of No. 25 Colorado coach Deion Sanders and is synonymous with the Buffaloes for his constant presence on the sidelines during games. He has also made a name for himself for his excellent media coverage of the program via his "Well Off Media" channel since the Sanders family arrived in Boulder in 2022.
On Thanksgiving Day, his charismatic father, Coach Prime, shared a nostalgic snap on his Instagram stories of himself and Bucky as a child.
"Deion & Deion Jr @deionsandersjr.," Coach Prime wrote.
The Colorado Buffaloes celebrated Thanksgiving with Coach Prime having a meal with his players. Connie Sanders, the mother of the Colorado coach Deion Sanders, attended the celebration.
The players in attendance for the event included Jordan Seaton and Jaylen Wester.
Deion Sanders Jr. plays many roles for the Buffs
Deion Sanders Jr., aka Bucky, has been an unofficial part of his father's team since Coach Prime was the Jackson State Tigers coach until he moved to Boulder with his sons, Shilo and Shedeur Sanders.
Bucky's "Well Off Media" channel has documented the Colorado football program's behind-the-scenes activities. Deion Sanders has repeatedly stated that his son's videos and social media activity on behalf of the team have made the Buffs an attractive destination for potential recruits.
"Ninety-nine percent of them (recruits) told me, 'Hey, man, we watch the videos every day,’" Coach Prime said in an interview with USA TODAY. "You could have the best product on Earth, but if people don’t know about it, you’re not going to sell it. It’s showing how good of a product it is. It’s showing how great Boulder actually.
"It helps with recruiting because everyone watches it. These kids with NIL, they want to start their own brands, too, because the more you’re seen … that puts more money in the athletes’ pockets, which a lot of them are worried about today."
Beyond being a key figure in amplifying the "Deion Sanders effect" on social media, Bucky also serves as a calming presence for the Buffs, helping them navigate the various stories about the program every few weeks.
After the Buffs's 31-28 loss to the Kansas State Wildcats in Week 7, a clip emerged of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Coach Prime exchanging words on the sidelines. Deion Sanders Jr. quickly dispelled the narrative of a rift between the duo in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
"The narratives our own people make up is funny as hell...," Bucky tweeted. "Like the QB checks out of all run plays (or any run plays at all). Or that the man is sub-dissing the head coach in front of everybody.. sh*t be comical dawg."
While his brothers, Shilo and Shedeur Sanders, dominate the headlines for their efforts on the gridiron, Deion Sanders Jr. plays a more understated yet significant role in his father's project in Boulder.