It’s not going to happen.
Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team and an NFL Hall of Famer, is facing criticism from an atheist organization due to his involvement in religious activities with his team. The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) recently sent a letter to Colorado University officials, citing concerns over team prayers and Sanders’ promotion of religious practices. This letter referenced a post-game prayer held after the Buffaloes’ recent win over Baylor University, where Sanders encouraged players to “believe in the Lord.”
In a video from the event, Pastor E. Dewey Smith of House of Hope Church in Atlanta delivered a prayer thanking God for the team’s success, attributing the victory to faith, specifically mentioning Jesus. The FFRF’s attorney, Samantha F. Lawrence, noted that Smith’s role seemed to be that of a team chaplain. This activity appeared to conflict with previous assurances from the university that Sanders would respect limits regarding religious expressions in team settings.
Lawrence highlighted the impact of Sanders’ influence over the team, pointing out that many young athletes may feel pressured to participate in religious activities even if they disagree, for fear of losing their scholarship or playing time. The FFRF’s letter argues that promoting Christianity within the team could be viewed as unconstitutional religious coercion, given the power dynamics between coach and players. They called on the university to protect the First Amendment rights of students by limiting religious activities in the football program.
The FFRF urged that Sanders focus on his coaching responsibilities and refrain from imposing personal religious beliefs on players. They have requested a written response from the university detailing the measures taken to address these concerns.
Additionally, the FFRF has requested access to records documenting any involvement of Pastor Smith with the team, including travel arrangements and financial records. They have also asked for policies provided to Coach Sanders concerning religious expression in his role, in an effort to ensure the football program remains secular.