Colorado Buffaloes Grieve Loss of Teammate Dominiq Ponder
The Colorado Buffaloes football program is in mourning following the tragic death of sophomore quarterback Dominiq Ponder, who passed away in a car accident in Boulder in the early hours of Sunday morning. The 23-year-old lost control of his 2023 Tesla Model 3, leading to a devastating crash that has left the campus community reeling.
Emotional Team Meeting Led by Coach Deion Sanders
Head coach Deion Sanders called an emergency team meeting on Monday as the Buffaloes began their Spring Training, with players visibly distraught over the sudden loss. In a video shared on social media, team members were captured in tears, holding their heads or covering their faces as they gathered to remember their fallen teammate.
Sanders, the 58-year-old NFL legend, was seen embracing and comforting his players, offering emotional support during this heartbreaking time. He addressed the team, urging them to honor Ponder's memory by remembering his character and dedication.
'The good man that he was. His character, humor, work ethic, tenacity. It's something that I want us to remember,' Sanders told his players during the emotional gathering.
Tribute Plans and Coaching Support
The team has decided to honor Ponder with a special tribute patch on their jerseys for the 2026-27 season. Players chose from several options including 'DOM,' 'DP 7,' 'Dom,' and 'DP 22,' ultimately settling on 'DP 22' as their memorial gesture.
Assistant coach George Hegamin also offered touching words to the grieving team, emphasizing the importance of valuing each day. 'Today is the most important thing that we have, and the best way to honor that is to do all you can with the time that you have,' Hegamin told the players.
Details of the Tragic Accident
Authorities believe Ponder may have been speeding at a right-hand curve before crashing through a guardrail, striking a power line, and rolling down an embankment. Emergency dispatchers initially mistook the car fire for a blown transformer before realizing the scale of the accident near Baseline Road.
First responders noted that specialized tools would be required for extrication, indicating significant damage to the Tesla vehicle. Colorado State Patrol confirmed the investigation into the single-car accident remains ongoing.
Community Reactions and Background
Ponder transferred from Bethune-Cookman in 2024 and served as a backup quarterback, making two appearances for the Buffaloes during the 2025 season. Teammate Colton Allen shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing about the fragility of life and expressing gratitude for their shared experiences.
Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion revealed the pain of receiving the news from Ponder's father, describing it as feeling unreal. The university has made counseling services available to players and staff during this difficult period.
Despite the tragedy, the Buffaloes reportedly continued with their scheduled spring practice on Monday as a way to honor Ponder's memory. The young quarterback's final social media activity was a repost of a message from Sanders about trust in God, reflecting his admiration for his coach's spiritual guidance.
Colorado officials have pledged full support to the Ponder family, friends, and loved ones as the football community comes to terms with this profound loss.
