Deion Sanders opens up on celebrities wanting to attend Colorado games

Few things in college football in the last decade or so have caused the kind of stir that Deion Sanders and the Colorado program have, what with celebrities roaming the sideline and viewership numbers shattering records left and right.

Even for Sanders it’s a lot to keep up with. But fear not, he’s promising another star-studded sideline for this week’s contest against No. 8 USC.

“It’s going to be good. But I like that for you all,” Sanders said. “I like that some of these guys are parking their big jets on the nearest airport, and you’re going to see us. Shoot, I think half the NBA is going to be here.”

Sanders wouldn’t get into the full list of celebrities he expects to be there on Saturday, but the numbers will include some former Colorado stars.

He shared that two are already in town for the game.

“Also we have some former Buffs that’s here that I love, when the former players come back here,” Sanders said. “Like I just left Kordell (Stewart) and (Michael) Westbrook over there, they’re eating right now and I can’t wait to get back and chop it up with them.”

As for the rest, Sanders may not enjoy handling all the celebrities as much as you may think.

“I don’t like the phone calls,” Sanders said. “I get them some, but I send them over to coach Ray (Forsett). It’s probably three times what you guys have heard. It’s probably three or four times that. Some guys you may not deem to be famous, but your kids do.”

The messages inquiring about the program and being around it have been coming in from Day 1 for Sanders. But they’ve only increased as the program has had success.

Few expected Colorado to get off to a 3-0 start, and while last week’s loss to Oregon diminished the overall outlook some, attention on the program remains elevated.

“It’s a lot. It’s a lot. I mean the DMs after a game are just, it’s like juhduhduhduhduh,” Sanders said, mimicking the sound of an endless scroll. “It’s tremendous, and it’s very respectful, and I love it because there’s some people that you wouldn’t even think of that’s checking in and checking on you.”

One of those is an actor. Not Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, either.

And Sanders made it clear, when you’re interacting with him, it’s not about football. Unless you know the game, the conversation is going to be mostly about life.

“No one gives me football advice. That would be ignorant for them to,” Sanders said. “It’s like me giving Jamie Foxx acting advice. Jamie Foxx checks on me, because we went through something tremendous and he almost lost his life as well. And he’s a friend. Where I live in Texas, he lives right down the street. Like he was born and raised right down the street. Probably 15 minutes from where I live.”

Whether Foxx will be there on Saturday remains to be seen. Regardless, expect the sideline to be packed with celebrities yet again.

Colorado and USC are slated for a 12 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday with a broadcast on FOX.