Colorado

Deion Sanders and Colorado will be newsworthy regardless of the outcome in 2024

Published

2 years ago

August 7, 2024

Deion Sanders and Colorado will be newsworthy regardless of the outcome in 2024

Sports Illustrated celebrates 70 years of service to America’s sports fans this month. Your scribe remembers, as a sports-crazy kid, anxiously waiting for each week’s delivery. Read it front cover to back before getting any homework done. The obsession was pretty deep. Each week, after reading the latest news, “Faces in the Crowd” and enjoying the incredible writing, this freckled-faced southpaw would carefully remove the SI cover and place it on his bedroom wall.

Who knows? Maybe someday? Never happened. A long-time television sportscasting career offered a career-full of opportunities to engage with the athletes who made the covers of a magazine, now far more including online like this, founded August 16,1954 by Henry Luce and bold TIME staff members who believed America was ready for a sports journalism magazine.

The 2024 Colorado Buffaloes football team is going back to the future. Back to the Big 12-actually 16 teams, name ‘em, go! – and what many alleged experts on college football believe might be the most competitive conference among the four behemoths by size and power in the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and conflicted ACC

Sports Illustrated has changed in those seven decades and certainly so has college football. USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington in the Big 10, actually 14? Four time zones? Travel? Holy smokes. Crazy. What will the Big 12 produce in its far-flung conference? There is no clear-cut favorite. Utah and Kansas State seem to be slightly ahead of the likes of Central Florida, Oklahoma State and Iowa State. The Buffs? Ranked eleventh out of the conference’s 16 teams. Sports Illustrated has been around for a long time, so have all the so-called “experts.” That’s the beauty of athletic competition.

Some teams rise to the challenge and others, for a variety of reasons, wither. Lots of factors come into play: Injuries, locker room issues and off the field incidents. A once promising season can end up in a dumpster fire. Year two of the “Prime” effect kicks off later this month. Will the second year be as good as advertised? Lots of new faces on the field and the coaching sidelines. Will the celebrities dot the sidelines like last season? What will unfold? Will Sports Illustrated put these Shedeur Sanders-led Buffaloes on the cover for its excellence this season?

Colorado AD Rick George says there’s a “misconception” about Deion Sanders

It makes me think of the 2001 Colorado Buffaloes under the direction of head coach Gary Barnett. CU fans shoulder to shoulder Buffs to the bone remember that season well: Stomping Nebraska 62-36, beating Texas in the Big 12 Championship game and deserved a chance to play for the national title but didn’t. Great team. It’s the last University of Colorado football team to ever win a conference championship. In 12 years in the Pac 12, CU played in one conference championship game losing to Washington.

Back to the future. The 2001 team had running back Chris Brown, a steady quarterback in Bobby Pesavento, talented tight end Daniel Graham, strong offensive line and an opportunistic defense. Back then, your correspondent hosted the “Gary Barnett” show. For whatever reason, the program decided to award me a championship ring from that season. Honored. My son will tell anybody listening, “When dad croaks? I want that ring!” It’s become a family heirloom. It represents excellence.

Will Sports Illustrated write about excellence this season? Will Sanders stay healthy? Can the offensive line protect him and open holes for this new stable of running backs? Can a porous defense of 2023 improve? Buffs were near the bottom in yards and points allowed last season. All kinds of new faces there. Coaching staff? New coordinators on each side of the ball.

NFL scout believes Jerry Jones plans to dump Dak for “Prime Effect” in Dallas

The 2001 Buffs went 10-3, won the Big 12 and earned the school’s first BCS appearance, the precursor to today’s College Football Playoff system with no computers and real people. Sports Illustrated wrote about them often. I checked, after shellacking the Huskers, SI mentioned it on the cover but the Washington NFL football team, then known as a different name, was the cover picture.

Here we go. As former CU Hall of Fame Coach Bill McCartney loves to say, “Football’s here, goodbye dear!” Buffs fans sure hope year two is newsworthy.

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Colorado

Every Colorado Buffaloes First-Round Pick In NFL Draft History

Published

45 minutes ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Every Colorado Buffaloes First-Round Pick In NFL Draft History

With the NFL Draft approaching, many players will hear their names called, and their lives will be changed forever. The Colorado Buffaloes have been fortunate to have 25 of their players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

So here is a list of all 25 Colorado players who have been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Nov 5, 2006; Jacksonville, FL, USA: Jacksonville Jaguars tight end (87) George Wrighster celebrates a touchdown with teammates (89) Marcedes Lewis and (65) Chris Naeole after scoring during the 1st quarter at against the Tennessee Titans at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, FL. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images Copyright © 2006 Jason Parkhurst | Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Every Colorado First Round Draft Pick

RB Byron “Whizzer” White (1938): No. 4 overall, Pittsburgh Pirates
LB Jerry Hillebrand (1962): No. 13 overall, New York Giants
RB Bobby Anderson (1970): No. 11 overall, Denver Broncos
DT Herb Orvis (1972): No. 16 overall, Detroit Lions
RB Bo Matthews (1974): No. 2 pick, San Diego Chargers
TE J.V. Cain (1974): No. 7 overall, St. Louis Cardinals
C Pete Brock (1976): No. 12 overall, New England Patriots
DT Troy Archer (1976): No. 13 overall, New York Giants
OT Max Koncar (1976): No. 23 overall, Green Bay Packers
DB Mark Haynes (1980): No. 8 overall, New York Giants
OT Stan Brock (1980): No. 12 overall, New Orleans Saints
WR Mike Pritchard (1991): No. 13 overall, Atlanta Falcons
DE Alfred Williams (1991): No. 18 overall, Cincinnati Bengals
DB Deon Figures (1993): No. 23 overall, Pittsburgh Steelers
DT Leonard Renfro (1993): No. 24 overall, Philadelphia Eagles
WR Charles Johnson (1994): No. 17 overall, Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Michael Westbrook (1995): No. 4 overall, Washington Redskins
RB Rashaan Salaam (1995): No. 21 overall, Chicago Bears
OG Chris Naeole (1997): No. 10 overall, New Orleans Saints
WR Rae Carruth (1997): No. 27 overall, Carolina Panthers
TE Daniel Graham (2002): No. 21 overall, New England Patriots
DE Tyler Brayton (2003): No. 32 overall, Oakland Raiders
OT Nate Solder (2011): No. 17 overall, New England Patriots
DB Jimmy Smith (2011): No. 27 overall, Baltimore Ravens
WR/CB Travis Hunter (2025): No. 2 overall, Jacksonville Jaguars

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws in the pocket with protection provided by tackle Nate Solder (77) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter of Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

Key First Round Buffaloes

There have been several Colorado players who have made a significant impact in the NFL after being drafted in the first round.

The first player to note is running back Byron “Whizzer” White, who was the first-ever Buffaloes player drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. White had a solid career in the NFL and definitely was worth the selection.

Colorado also had an interesting trend of multiple players being selected in the first round on eight separate occasions, which showed the Buffaloes ‘ ability to develop talent on a consistent basis.

One of the more successful Colorado players in the NFL was an offensive tackle, Nate Solder, who was drafted by the Patriots in 2011 and won two Super Bowls while blocking for Tom Brady. Solder provided consistent protection and was someone that the Patriots could rely on to do his job well.

Former Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith also had a successful career after being drafted in 2011 by the Baltimore Ravens. One of the highlights of Smith’s career was when he won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens and made crucial stops on the goal line to seal the game. Throughout his career, Smith was always solid in coverage and could make a play when he needed to.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts to a tackle during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Currently in the NFL is former Colorado Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 2 overall in the 2025 draft. Hunter had a decent rookie season, but it was unfortunately ended early by injury.

Heading into a sophomore season, Hunter will be making a change to cornerback and looks to be a great contributor for the Jaguars on defense while adding some value as a situational receiver.

As indicated by the number of players drafted in the first round from Colorado, the Buffaloes definitely have a history of being able to develop great talent that can be successful in the NFL.

Unfortunately, there are no Buffaloes projected to be first-round picks this season, however next year could be the perfect opportunity with players like wide receiver Danny Scudero and defensive tackle Santana Hopper poised for big seasons.

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Denver nostalgic-themed bar opens after lengthy permitting delays

Published

13 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Denver nostalgic-themed bar opens after lengthy permitting delays

South Broadway’s newest bar in Denver is a “nostalgic-forward neighborhood cocktail bar” called the Good Luck Club. However, it’s been anything but lucky.

“It would have been really helpful to have a road map of here’s how you open up a bar,” said Ben Hamilton, Good Luck Club’s general manager. “Here are the steps you need to take.”

It’s finally open, six months behind target, thanks to a guessing game they didn’t know they were playing.

“I was like jumping over hurdles and navigating a maze to try to figure out and put all the pieces of the puzzle together,” Hamilton added. “There was a good list of complications that we ran into when we were filing for our liquor licenses, our zoning permits, our assembly permits.”

Ben Hamilton, the general manager of the Good Luck Club, talks about the delays he new Denver bar faced in opening.

CBS

However, the city knows about the problems behind the permit process.

Tuesday marks exactly one year since Denver Mayor Mike Johnston signed his first executive order overhauling the city’s permit process with a new office.

“It’s really hard for our customers to understand what is needed for every type of construction project that could be out there,” said Robert Peek, the director of development systems performance with the Denver Permitting Office.

Hamilton says that was exactly what he and his team faced: “It seemed like it was never the full answer.”

That’s why the Denver City Council approved a $4.6 million contract with ComplyAI for a tool that will help streamline and speed up the process.

“It’ll do an initial review of their applications and their plans and identify anything that I’m missing or anything that is approvable for the city,” Peek said.

The software could shave weeks off the process, and hopefully, in the future, businesses like the Good Luck Club can serve the community more quickly.

“We see this as part of our larger effort to really revitalize our local economy by getting these businesses and homeowners to move into their homes,” Peek said.

The permitting office is just beginning the implementation process to integrate the artificial intelligence tool into the system. They hope to launch it to the public by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Good Luck Club is having its grand opening on April 30.

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Colorado

Colorado Avalanche coach suffers facial fractures after being hit with a puck

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

$Colorado Avalanche coach suffers facial fractures after being hit with a puck$

The Colorado Avalanche’s head coach will not travel with the team this week due to injuries he sustained after being hit with a puck during a game over the weekend.

Jared Bednar will stay at home as the team travels for two of its last regular season games in Canada, according to a statement from the team. Bednar was diagnosed with facial fractures and a corneal abrasion, but is expected to make a full recovery without surgery.

During Saturday night’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights, a stray puck hit by the Knights’ Keegan Kolesar went over the boards and into the Avalanche’s bench. Bednar was struck on the right side of his face and taken to the hospital to be evaluated.

The assistant coaching staff, which includes Dave Hakstol and Nolan Pratt, took over after Bednar left the game. Pratt told reporters in the postgame press conference that the hit was “unnerving.”

“It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there, it happens all the time,” Pratt said, adding that it was “unfortunate tonight.”

But the team recalibrated and returned to play, Pratt said.

The Avalanche lost in overtime, but have already secured their playoff spot.

Pratt and Hakstol will lead the Avalanche in the Monday night game against the Edmonton Oilers and Tuesday’s game against the Calgary Flames. The team will return to Denver’s Ball Arena for its final home game before playoffs on Thursday.

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