“We Couldn’t Have Made It”: Dominiq Ponder’s Parents Praise Deion Sanders
The parents of late Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder have spoken publicly for the first time since their son’s tragic death, sharing both their heartbreak and the deep gratitude they feel toward Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. In an emotional interview, Catrina and Wendell Ponder described the unimaginable grief of losing their 23 year old son while also reflecting on the man he had become during his time in Boulder. At the center of their story is Sanders, known to many as Coach Prime, whose presence and support they say helped them navigate the darkest days of their lives. For the Ponder family, Sanders was more than a coach. He was a guiding figure in Dominiq’s life and a source of strength for his parents after the tragedy.
- Krishna Sagar
- 5 min read
Grief rarely arrives with clarity. It comes with shock, disbelief, and a thousand unanswered questions. For Catrina and Wendell Ponder, the past days have been filled with those emotions as they try to process the sudden loss of their son, Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder.
The 23 year old died early Sunday morning in Boulder following a single car accident. According to reports, Ponder’s Tesla lost control, struck an electrical line and rolled down an embankment. In the wake of the tragedy, tributes poured in from across college football, from teammates, coaches, and fans who had come to know the young quarterback.
But for his parents, the loss is deeply personal and painfully real. Speaking publicly for the first time, they shared the heartbreak of losing their son and the pride they still carry for the young man he had become. In those reflections, one name kept returning. Deion Sanders.
The Colorado head coach, affectionately known as Coach Prime, had played an enormous role in Dominiq’s life over the past two years. And in the days following his death, the Ponder family says Sanders has been one of the most important sources of comfort. “We are broken,” Wendell said quietly. “We are doing the best we can. But we are so proud of him. We just cannot believe the love we have received. Thousands of text messages and phone calls.” Catrina echoed the shock that still surrounds the family.
1. A Coach Who Became Family
During his time in Boulder, Dominiq Ponder had grown deeply connected to the Colorado program and its charismatic head coach.His parents say Sanders was far more than a typical college football coach. He became a mentor and a constant presence in their son’s life.
“He spent more time with our son than we did the last two years,” Catrina said. For Wendell, the bond between his son and Sanders was unmistakable. “He loved Coach Prime more than anything,” he said.That connection only became more meaningful after the tragedy. In the days since Dominiq’s passing, Sanders has stayed in close contact with the family, offering comfort in moments when words felt impossible.
“We couldn’t have made it,” Wendell said, describing the coach’s support. “The last few days, without him, we couldn’t have made it at all.” The emotion in his voice reflected just how important Sanders had been to both Dominiq and the entire family.
“Coach Prime is one of the greatest men on this planet and I am honored that my son played for him,” Wendell said. Catrina described the calming effect Sanders had when he reached out. “His voice is so soothing,” she said. “I’m in shock and I see him pop up on my phone because he calls on FaceTime and just to see him, it calms me down.”
For Wendell, the relationship between Sanders and his son felt almost parental. “Coach was his father, just like I am,” he said. “There just couldn’t have been a greater person that I would have wanted in my son’s life.”
2. A Son Who Was Finding His Path
For the Ponder family, the tragedy is even harder to accept because of the path Dominiq was on. The last time his parents saw him was during the holidays, when he returned to Miami for Christmas and New Year’s. Those memories have now taken on even greater meaning.
“That’s one of the happiest memories I have,” Catrina said. “He was here, Christmas and New Years, and it was the best time, the happiest. He was so motivated." She spoke with pride about the growth she had seen in her son. “It was unreal, the maturity,” she said. “He went from a boy to a man. His confidence, his work ethic. Blossoming more and more.”
Wendell noticed the transformation as well. “I was most proud of the man he was becoming,” he said. “The growth in the last two years was unbelievable, night and day. And that all has to do with Coach Prime. Dominiq had been determined to earn a larger role with the Buffaloes. After making two appearances the previous season, he had spent months preparing for what he believed would be a breakthrough year.
“This year, we believed he was going to play a lot but he had to work,” Wendell said. The physical transformation alone was striking. “He was like 189 pounds when we dropped him off in Boulder and the last time we saw him he was like 220,” Wendell said. “Just big, 6 foot 5, all muscles and full of love and happy.”
3. A Life That Touched Many
Beyond football, Dominiq’s parents say their son had a heart for people and carried that spirit everywhere he went. Catrina recalled a moment from his childhood that defined who he was. After the family moved to Florida, Dominiq befriended a boy through basketball who was going through difficult circumstances.
Eventually the Ponder family adopted him. “He’s been with us since seventh grade,” Wendell said. “He’s our son and we wanted to save him.” Dominiq embraced the decision immediately. “Dom knew he was going to have to share everything and he didn’t care,” Wendell said.
The same love extended to his younger sister Monroe, who adored her older brother. “He was a big brother to her and more like a father,” Wendell said. Catrina said Monroe’s resilience has been remarkable in the face of the loss.
“She is doing a lot better than I would have imagined,” she said. “All she needs to do is look in the mirror. He is gonna be there.”