Deion Sanders, the electrifying former NFL star turned head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, is once again making headlines—this time not for his team’s play on the field, but for his passionate stance on college football’s lax uniform standards. Speaking at Big 12 Media Days, Sanders, often referred to as “Coach Prime,” called for increased accountability and discipline when it comes to how players dress on game day.
As someone who played the game at the highest level, Sanders has never been shy about expressing his love and respect for football. During his NFL career with teams like the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys, Sanders was fined several times for uniform violations. But in his view, that level of enforcement has not carried over into the college game—and he believes it’s hurting the sport’s image.
“Let’s do something about the uniforms,” Sanders said firmly. “We’ve got guys in biker shorts. That makes me sick because I’m a football guy—I played this game at a high level and I have so much respect for this game.”
What Sanders is particularly critical of is the trend among some players to wear extremely short pants that don’t cover their knees—along with a lack of knee pads and other protective gear. The visual, he says, is not only unprofessional but also dangerous. “How can we allow guys out there in biker shorts, no knee pads, no nothing, literally pants up under their thighs, and that’s cool?” he asked. “That’s not football. That’s not what the game is supposed to look like.”
While the NCAA currently has uniform guidelines, enforcement is often lax. It’s not uncommon to see players wearing altered uniforms without consequence, especially when it comes to equipment like knee and thigh pads. Sanders believes this sends the wrong message—not just about safety, but about the culture of the game.
One solution he proposed is for game officials to take action by throwing flags for uniform violations. “You want to stop it? Start throwing flags,” he suggested. However, his preference would be something more impactful: financial penalties. Though fines are commonplace in the NFL, they are unheard of in college athletics due to the amateur status of the players. Still, Sanders believes there should be consequences, even if it means creative solutions that don’t violate NCAA rules.
Coach Prime’s remarks have sparked a fresh debate about tradition, safety, and discipline in college football. For Sanders, it’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about honoring the game that gave him so much. “I have so much respect for this game,” he repeated, underscoring his motivation for speaking out. “This isn’t just about looking the part. It’s about playing the part with dignity, pride, and discipline.”
As Sanders enters his third year leading the Colorado Buffaloes, his presence continues to influence not just his program, but the broader conversation in college football. Whether or not his suggestions lead to changes remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Deion Sanders is determined to bring a higher standard of respect back to the game—one pair of properly worn football pants at a time.