Loading summary
Stephen Colbert
If you need three new reasons to love Jack wraps at Jack in the Box even more. Here they are. Chicken fajita, chicken Caesar and delicious. Starting at $3. Coincidentally, those are the same three reasons you should come to Jack in the Box right now at Jack, every bite's a big deal.
Deion Sanders
Welcome to the oil business. Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore and Jon Ham star in a new Paramount plus original series. The world has already convinced itself that you are evil for providing them the one thing they interact with every day.
Stephen Colbert
You're all right. Here we go.
Deion Sanders
From Taylor Sheridan, executive producer of Yellowstone. Get everybody back. You just put a giant bullseye on this place.
Stephen Colbert
We rolled the dice one last time.
Deion Sanders
Landman New series now streaming exclusively on Paramount plus.
Stephen Colbert
Welcome one and all in here, out there, all around the world to the Late Show. I'm your host, Stephen Colber, ladies and gentlemen. Everybody's excited. I totally understand why you'd be so excited. You're joining us on an historic night following the incredible AFC Championship game. AFC Championship, of course, often called the super bowl of finding out who will be in the Super Bowl. This is. We've only done this a couple times before. This is a rare Sunday show for us. So, of course, this morning, my staff and I all went to church together. CBS is a family, a family that occasionally cancels its children and then replaces them with a spinoff of one of their more successful children. But just because tonight's game is over two hours ago doesn't mean you have to stop gambling. There are plenty of parlays available here at the Late Show. Hot tip. Take the over on whether or not I have the greatest audience in the world.
Deion Sanders
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Want to shout out that? Get a little shout out. There you go. That cheer just lost some kid their college savings. Another reason to cheer. We survived the first week of the second Trump administration. Imagine, imagine how good we'll feel when we survive the first week of the third Trump administration. Trump has been signing a lot of executive orders this week. And Thursday he released a real humdinger because he signed an order declassifying files on the jfk, RFK and MLK assassinations. This will be the biggest release of presidential secrets since we found out what the B stands for in Lyndon B. Johnson. Bananas. B, A, N, A, N. The order does not specify a release date, but once they come out, we're finally going to get a clear answer on the JFK assassination, a tragic event that spawned decades of conspiracy theories. But once we read the files, Occam's Razor tells us the true answer will probably be the simplest1. The CIA worked with Fidel Castro, the mafia and the Dallas police to train Russian dolphins to swim up from the Gulf of Mexico through the sewers onto the grassy knoll where at the last second their teeny flipper mounted missile launchers were jammed by radio interference from a nearby radio station playing the crystals. Da. Do. Run. Run. While at the exact moment JFK died by choking on one of those tiny silica gel packets that say do not eat. Zapruder was in on it. And who benefited? Lyndon Bananas Johnson. Ladies and gentlemen. Remember the first follow the monkey. Turns out Trump isn't the first president to release info on JFK's assassination. Joe Biden also declassified some documents, though many remain redacted. For example, this one which reads President Kennedy redacted room full of Pan Am stewardish trainees. Baby pool of strawberry jam. We'll never know. One of the reasons that they have kept these files secret so long is that intelligence agencies all say the threat to national security outweighs public interest. Yes, we cannot have our 60 year old secrets fall into the Soviet's hands. Sir, look at this. Apparently Americans are close to developing something called fax machine. It will allow us to send Borsch's recipe with push of button. And Trump's executive orders are upsetting you. You're not alone. He's been pissing people off on a global scale. Thursday he zoomed in to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. You know their slogan, Davos? You're too poor to hear our slogan. In a rambling address. In a rambling address, the President, among other things, blasted European regulation and trade policies while also renewing his promise for across the board tariffs. The only way to make Europeans angrier would have been to publicly shame the singing career of David Hasselhoff. Nein, don't hassle the hof. German. Didn't know I spoke German, did you? Trump once again threatened our neighbors to the north with tariffs. Canada. We have a tremendous deficit with Canada. We're not going to have that anymore. We can't do it. I don't know if it's good for them. As you probably know.
Deion Sanders
I say you can always become a state.
Stephen Colbert
Yes, join us. Yes, join us you syrup sucking freaks. You moose fondling ice holes. Of course you'll need a new name. You're right above Minnesota. We'll call you Maxi Soda. Okay, now a hill. Trump also had this long ramble about how not when winning the 2020 election was a good thing for him personally. It turned out through a stroke of luck or whatever you might call it, that I'm going to be president during the World cup and the olympics and the 250th anniversary. Yes, I'm also going to be in office for Wicked 2. No, no spoilers, please. I hope that witch Alphabet wins the Quidditch game. The wizard. The wizard only offered her that job because of Green dei, which is why she became wicked and chose to defy gravity, which was bad news for all the people of Narnia. But I'll tell you, I wouldn't kick that White Queen out of bed for eating Turkish Delight, if you know what I mean. There's no place like home. Trump also caught heat earlier in the week for his threats to non consensual acquire Greenland. This past week, at a press conference in the capital city of Nook. Great place for breakfast, by the way, Their prime minister said unequivocally, we do not want to be Americans. Okay, we get it. We're not perfect. We've got some income inequality, we've got gun violence, bad health care. But we also have something called the Pop Tarts bowl, where an anthropomorphized pop Tart gets toasted to death for our amusement. Thank you for your snackrifice. After his. I could go. I could go. After his speech, a reporter asked Greenland's prime minister if Greenland had conveyed the message that it is not up for grabs directly to Trump. You shouldn't have to convey that. It's 2025. There aren't places still up for grabs. Hey, is this anybody's Peru? It's Peru's Peru. Then why is it called Peru? At the same time, in a meeting of the European Parliament, one Danish official pushed back on the president a little more directly.
Deion Sanders
Dear President Trump, listen very carefully. Greenland have been part of the Danish kingdom for 800 years. It's an integrated part of our country. It is not for sale. Let me put it in words you might understand, Mr. Trump. Off.
Stephen Colbert
Oh. Oh, damn, son. You just got skewed. How's that taste? I'm guessing like salty licorice. One of the first executive orders Trump signed this week was one officially creating Elon Musk's brainchild, the Department of Government Efficiency or doggy. And I trust I'm mispronouncing that correctly. And it looks like Elon's found his first target for trimming Federal spending. The U.S. penny. What? Lose the penny? This is the worst thing that's ever happened to Abraham Lincoln. But Musk's Logic is hard to argue. The penny costs over $0.03 to make and cost US taxpayers over $179 million in fiscal year 2023. And the Mint produced over 4.5 billion pennies in fiscal year 2023, around 40% of the 11.4 billion coins for circulation produced. It's true, the Mint has to keep making pennies because nobody uses them. If you get them in your change, you just put them in the giant wine jug you keep by the fireplace until one day it's buried with you like some low rent pharaoh. So I'm torn here. On the one hand, the penny is obviously an outdated waste of money whose time has passed. On the other hand, I like it. To decide what's the right thing to do, let's flip a coin. Specifically a penny. Okay, so heads we ditch the penny. Tails, we keep the penny. Here it goes. It's not worth picking up. Of course. Of course. Now that the AFC championship is behind us, we're on the countdown to the super bowl ads. And we're already getting some really nice teasers. For instance, this week we saw this one of Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom in a commercial for a cruise ship company. No offense to Orlando Bloom, but if I wanted to be on a boat with a guy who knows way too much about Legolas, I'd go fishing alone. We're also getting a preview of an ad for Taco Bell featuring Doja Cat and the new Liv Moss drive thru cams that take people's photos after they order Taco Bell. Great idea because everybody's first thought after grabbing their 1am hot bag of wet beans is I wish my loved ones could see me. And if you love folks, if you love those celebrity super bowl ads but don't want to wait two weeks for them, you're in luck. Because tonight the Late show is proud to present the exclusive debut of this new star studded commercial. Jim.
John Lithgow
Hello, I'm Emmy and Tony Award winning actor John Lithgow. If I know one thing, it's how to imbue characters with a kind of depth that suggests a rich inner life. But if I know another thing, it's that you can't drive hard to the hoop in a clown ass pair of basketball shoes. That's why you need air Lithgos with a lightweight upper max zoom cushioning and reinforced midsole. You'll be breaking ankles and making suckers cry more than Terms of Endearment. No other shoe features, pressure mapped angle support, hex, floor force heel and souls featuring the Range of my work in both comedy and drama. When I played Churchill on the crown, I held nothing back. Just like you'll hold nothing back when you get on the court wearing EHR Lithgows. Hang on. Who am I kidding? I shouldn't be selling basketball shoes. I've got nothing to do with basketball.
Deion Sanders
This is a mistake.
Stephen Colbert
Ha.
John Lithgow
Fake out. See, that's how good you'll be juking fools in. Ehr Lithgow is a whole rock meet.
Stephen Colbert
Rim available at all remaining Grumbles Shoe Circus locations. We got a great show for you tonight coming up. Deion Sanders. Hey there, Ryan Reynolds here. It's a new year and you know what that means. No, not the diet resolutions. A way for us all to try and do a little bit better than we did last year. And my resolution, unlike big wireless, is to not be a raging and raise the price of wireless on you every chance I get. Give it a try@mintmobile.com switch. $45 upfront payment required. Equivalent to $15 per month. New customers on first three month plan only. Taxes and fees. Extra Speed slower above 40gb on unlimited. See mintmobile.com for details.
Deion Sanders
Roll out. Transformers 1 is now streaming on Paramount. Awesome.
Stephen Colbert
It's the blast from beginning to end.
Deion Sanders
Okay, stop. I'm in Trans Rady. PG now streaming on Paramount plus.
Stephen Colbert
Now streaming on Paramount plus.
Deion Sanders
What's your job? When people go missing, I get hired.
Stephen Colbert
To help find them.
Deion Sanders
Catch up now on Tracker.
Stephen Colbert
I'm here to help the CBS original series that critics are calling a breakout hit. Nothing good comes without risks. I would drink to that.
Deion Sanders
Justin Hartley stars.
Stephen Colbert
Hold on. Did you say Arrow Run?
Deion Sanders
That's a new one. Colter in the CBS original Tracker.
Stephen Colbert
Catch up on the latest episodes now on Paramount. Ladies and gentlemen, folks, my guest tonight is a two time super bowl champion who has taken the college football world by storm as the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes. His documentary series Coach prime has just returned for its third season. Please welcome to the Late Show, Deion Sanders.
Deion Sanders
Wow.
Stephen Colbert
Wow, wow. There you go. You are welcome to the show.
Deion Sanders
Blessed man. Look at this, man.
Stephen Colbert
Wow.
Deion Sanders
This is awesome, man.
Stephen Colbert
It is awesome.
Deion Sanders
You got it going on. I've been watching you for a minute too, man.
Stephen Colbert
I've been watching you for a minute too. I just wish you were comfortable in the spotlight. You are. Neon. Neon. But you're more than that.
Deion Sanders
You're never like that name.
Stephen Colbert
You didn't?
Deion Sanders
No. Because that was given. That wasn't earned.
Stephen Colbert
Well, your prime time.
Deion Sanders
There you go.
Stephen Colbert
Okay.
Deion Sanders
There you go.
Stephen Colbert
And now your Prime Time. Let's take a look at the beginning. Let's look at the beginning of prime time. This is the prime time that I remember when I was a young man. There you go. Is that a look? That is a look.
Deion Sanders
That's a look.
Stephen Colbert
You still rock that every so often.
Deion Sanders
Have nerve to rock that.
Stephen Colbert
And now, of course. And now it's Coach prime right there.
Deion Sanders
It's kind of like a maturation.
Stephen Colbert
A little growth.
Deion Sanders
A little growth there. A little growth there.
Stephen Colbert
Tell me about primetime. How did that Persona come about?
Deion Sanders
Because this agent back in the day, he slid me the financials for everyone in the National Football League. And I found out at that time that my position, defensive backs, were one of the lowest paid positions in the league. And that was going into my junior year. I said, oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. I promised my mother that she was going to be rich and she would never have to work another day of her life. So I created this image right in my dormitory room called primetime. That was my nickname coming out of high school for baseball, football and basketball. But now I had to enact this thing. I had to emulate some things that truly was detached from me. And I did it. I did it with no social media, I did it.
Stephen Colbert
I did it the old fashioned way. The old fashioned way. You built it.
Deion Sanders
I built it.
Stephen Colbert
So what was the process? How did you do that?
Deion Sanders
It was like I would be in my dorm apartments really, in Florida State at the time, and I would write down quotes because I knew I had the goods. I was gonna ball out. So you was gonna ask me, how do you feel on that apartment? Well, I'm the best thing since peanut butter and jelly. I don't even know why you kicked it to me. You should have fired up the band as soon as you kicked the ball. Cause you know what I was gonna do? Like, I already had these things.
Stephen Colbert
Preonisms, more primisms.
Deion Sanders
I'm the best thing since peanut butter and jelly. You know, it was a lot of stuff like that. And then you look good, you feel good, you play good to pay. All that came way back in college.
John Lithgow
Wow.
Deion Sanders
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
So it was like a self made man. Yeah.
Deion Sanders
It was a choreographed effort to make sure that my mother never had to work another day in her life. And guess what? Every since ever since 1989, my mother never had to work another day in her life. And she would have you think that I live with her, but she lives with me.
Stephen Colbert
Well, in 2020, you became head coach of Jackson State University. Two years later, you moved to Colorado, University of Colorado, the Buffaloes. And you re energized college football. Here's what the AP says. Deion Sanders brings prime time to Colorado and makes Folsom Field the epicenter of college football. Okay, first of all, why, why coach in the first place? You must. Are there other fun things? Do you have other hobbies?
Deion Sanders
I stumbled upon it like I was retired. Now I want to just be a dad. I'm sitting at home, I'm taking my 7 year old to football practice and I wasn't going to two different practices. So my five year old, we lied and said he was sick so I could get him on the same team. And I'm out there and I'm watching these kid kids collide. So I get up off my lawn chair and say, let me go do this, coaches, you can't do this. So I sit back down.
Stephen Colbert
How did the coach take that, by the way?
Deion Sanders
Well, he had no choice at the time. You know, I was still prime. So I get up and they do something stupid again. So I get up again. By the next thing you know, I'm running the whole practice. And I thought to myself, if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it my way. So I called some of my friends that played in the NFL with me that was retired, and I said, let's start this youth football league. We had 1200 kids try out and it was. The rest was history. So it started from then on from ages 5 to 14. And we just started this unbelievable youth program with football, baseball, basketball, track, cheer, everything. And that's how all of this started. So I was Coach prime before you knew I was Coach Prime. Well over a decade.
Stephen Colbert
Well, you also coached your two boys. Here you go. Yeah, Shiloh and Shador at Colorado. They played their final season. There they are. I love this photo. This is you walking on the field with them at the beginning of the last game.
Deion Sanders
See, that's a tea jerker. That's hard right there. See that picture there? It brings back so many thoughts because now I'm thinking about when we first started when I was coaching them in youth and they would lay their uniforms out in the closet because they were so excited. Couldn't wait to put them on the next morning. And I'm the coach. And we go from there at 5 and 7 years old to all the way to their now young adults getting ready to go into the NFL. So it's been a tremendous journey, but I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to be there every moment and every minute of my son's career.
Stephen Colbert
Wow, that's extraordinary. So they're about to enter. As you just said, they're about to enter the NFL draft, obviously something that you went through. I'm sure they're excited but nervous at the same time. What was that like for you? What do you remember about your draft?
Deion Sanders
We weren't gonna be broke no more. That was it. We weren't gonna be broke no more. And my mother would not have to work another day of her life, and life would never be the same. That's what I remember. But I wanted to be the greatest. It wasn't about the money. It was about being the greatest and being dominant. Because when you're the greatest and you're dominant and you perfect your craft, the money's gonna find you. You don't ever have to chase money. When you perfect your craft, you're supposed to clap right there. I'm just keeping y'all up on game. All right.
Stephen Colbert
I'll talk to these people later. I'm so sorry about that. I'm so sorry about that. We rehearsed. We rehearsed. They are now. What about, like, what's the process of the day? Like, what do you have to do during. Do you do anything, or are you just passively sitting back? Is there any prep you have to do for the draft the day of.
Deion Sanders
Or anything the day of? No, you just wait till that ship come in, baby. You just sitting there.
Stephen Colbert
Are those universities talking to you, calling you?
Deion Sanders
No, no, no.
Stephen Colbert
I mean, the NFL people.
Deion Sanders
Yeah, but it's game, like, all the way up until the draft, this team is going to say, you're garbage. They don't want you. You're the worst thing, because they want you to fall into their lap. So I've guided my kids and others and say, look, don't believe nothing they say right now because it's the assault. They're gonna assault you and say, you're not this, you're not that, because they want you to come. So don't believe this stuff. Don't get into it. Don't go back and forth in the media. Just relax and just let it ride, because it's gonna be all right.
Stephen Colbert
We have to take a quick break here. We're gonna be right back with more Deion Sanders, everybody. There are a lot of fans from Colorado. Obviously, you know, everybody's paying attention to these games now, and there are a lot of Colorado fans who are celebrities, but there's no bigger one than Miss Peggy.
Deion Sanders
That's my girl.
Stephen Colbert
Now that's my baby. For those who are unfamiliar with Ms. Peggy, who is she and how'd she make it into this press conference with you?
Deion Sanders
Ms. Peggy is 100 years old. She's the OB. The original buff. She is awesome. Like, she is unbelievable. Separate generations, but she has embraced me, loved me, guided me, supported me in every facet, and I have supported her. So our goal was not to do this or do that this season. Our goal was one thing. We gotta get Miss Peggy to a bowl game. And that's what we did. We achieved. She is so awesome. I love her to life. I mean, she remembers everything. She does not forget one thing. And she has so much energy and so much life.
Stephen Colbert
Did she give you any advice about plays right now, guys?
Deion Sanders
Yeah, she said when.
Stephen Colbert
Keep it simple.
Deion Sanders
Keep it simple.
Stephen Colbert
Keep it simple. Okay, the new season of your docu series, Coach prime, just came out. We have a clip before we go to it. What do we need to see here?
Deion Sanders
This is. I believe that the kids were invited in an nil deal to Vegas. Not Vegas, overseas. Paris to a Louis Vuitton fashion.
Stephen Colbert
It's been called the Vegas of France.
Deion Sanders
I never knew that. So they went overseas to do that. And it was funny because Shiloh and Chador was going back and forth, and Junior was there also. Like my other son, he does all the videography for the family and everything. So this is something that conspired. And they called me from over there because Shiloh didn't like how his brother was dressed. He thought he was changing.
Stephen Colbert
Okay.
Deion Sanders
Yeah. Jim, that is a purse. That's how I know. You don't know fashion, bro. No, I could swing on you right now and it's not gonna hurt. Let's just call dad and see what he was saying.
Stephen Colbert
Fam.
Deion Sanders
Your dad used to wear the same stuff back in the day. Oh, dad had a big case. No, you can't say nothing. Your dad just wear them short shorts. Oh, he about to be so disappointed in him. Yes. Good old dad. Dad, he losing himself, dog. He losing himself. Dad, he losing himself, though. No, I just got. I just got a puffer coat on, man. That's it. No, you ain't carrying no purse, dog. Dad, he is. And he's for real about this brother. It's not a purse, bro. What he's doing ain't what he think he doing. He look like somebody rich auntie right now. I love prime video. I mean, we. The documentary is awesome. It's excellent. You get to see my kids personality. Other kids on the team, but you get to really see who we are, what we are, and how we go about our business and getting. Elevating these kids, trying to get them to the next level. It's tremendous.
Stephen Colbert
We have to take another break here. We're gonna be right back with Deion Sanders. Hey, everybody, we're back here with Coach prime himself, Deion Sanders. Super Bowl's coming up.
Deion Sanders
Yep.
Stephen Colbert
I've never played in a Super Bowl. What does it feel like? What? Not yet. Not yet. Still in training. Coach, what. What does it feel like to be out there? We're coming up on 30 years since your first one.
Deion Sanders
It's awesome. It's. It's almost like you're riding to the game and you're seeing stuff that you never thought existed because you're like, I didn't know they do that at Super Bowls. I didn't know they do that. Then you say, like, man, all these people are coming to see us play. You mean to tell me I get to put on a show in front of America tonight? You got to be kidding me. Lord. Thank you. Like, that's the feeling you have. Driving, riding to the stadium and knowing you're getting ready to play. And it's. You don't. You're not worried, you're not over excited. You just. You want to rock steady. You want to be calm, because you get an opportunity to do what you've been blessed to do in front of everybody.
Stephen Colbert
Now you've. You're the only person to play in both the super bowl and a World Series.
Deion Sanders
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
What is the difference of those feelings?
Deion Sanders
Yeah, that. That means I was pretty good, right? Okay.
Stephen Colbert
Yes.
Deion Sanders
Let's get that straight.
Stephen Colbert
Yes.
Deion Sanders
The. The difference is, for the Super Bowl, I get one shot. For the World Series. If I struck out and went over four, over five, I get to do it again.
Stephen Colbert
All right.
Deion Sanders
At super bowl, you get one shot at it, so you gotta make it right.
Stephen Colbert
Wow.
Deion Sanders
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
And then in the season, too, you're playing how many games back when you were in the NFL?
Deion Sanders
16.
Stephen Colbert
16.
Deion Sanders
Why you say that like it was a long, long time ago. That's not right. Like, that's not right, man.
Stephen Colbert
I apologize.
Deion Sanders
Yeah, thank you.
Stephen Colbert
I apologize. You know, it's not right. The halftime. The halftime act was George Gershwin for your Super Bowl. Wasn' Irving Berlin. Okay, wait. Okay, hold on. I need your help. I need your help. Okay, so. Cause I know we have people come over for the super bowl, and I don't. You know, I haven't watched as much, you know, football growing up as I maybe should have. I played a bit of Dungeons and Dragons, but. So when we're watching the game, I don't always know what to say when there's a great play or somebody, you know, messed up or something like that. So can we pretend for a second that we're watching the game and there's a great play, and you just tell me what I should say? Like, what should I play first?
Deion Sanders
You gotta let me know your crowd. Who's your friends?
Stephen Colbert
This is mostly just my friends and neighbors in the neighborhood.
Deion Sanders
Okay. Yeah, but they don't tell me white friends, black friends, they're white. Okay. White friends.
Stephen Colbert
They're white.
Deion Sanders
I got you.
Stephen Colbert
Possibly two. There are possibly two black people there.
Deion Sanders
Okay. Oh, Lord.
Stephen Colbert
Okay, so there's only 10 total in this scenario.
Deion Sanders
I see.
Stephen Colbert
Okay, 20%.
Deion Sanders
20%. It's a good percentile.
Stephen Colbert
Well, it's higher than the percentage of black people in the population.
Deion Sanders
I like it. I like it, I like it, I like it.
Stephen Colbert
You're gonna get me in trouble, man.
Deion Sanders
Good job with the band, though. We cool.
Stephen Colbert
There's also. There's also.
Deion Sanders
Good job with the band. Good job.
Stephen Colbert
Yes. There's also. There's also 1.3 Latinos.
Deion Sanders
I'm good. I love my Latino brothers. Okay, so if it's a great play and with the audience you have. You like. Yes. Then.
Stephen Colbert
Okay. What if it's at your party?
Deion Sanders
Okay. All right, all right, all right, all right. A I G H T. Aight. All right.
Stephen Colbert
All right.
Deion Sanders
But you give me some hands, all right.
Stephen Colbert
Aight.
Deion Sanders
There you go.
Stephen Colbert
There you go. Coach prime is on. Prime Video. Deion Sanders, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives. What do you know about the Lioness program? Are you a lioness? I run it.
Deion Sanders
From Taylor Sheridan comes the Paramount original series starring Zoe Saldana. I choose the asset, I choose the.
Stephen Colbert
COVID I build the plan, and I run it. Me.
Deion Sanders
With academy Award winner Morgan Freeman and academy award winner Nicole Kidman.
Stephen Colbert
Everyone's watching on this one, and I do mean everyone.
Deion Sanders
Lioness new season now streaming exclusively on Paramount plus Paramount plus is your home for the UEFA Champions League.
Stephen Colbert
Magnificent.
Deion Sanders
And this season is bigger, better, bolder than ever. That was special, with more epic matchups, momentous and historic. And more moments from soccer's iconic stars. What a goal. What a player. Do you at the Champions League stream every match live exclusively on Paramount plus the stuff of absolute dreams.
Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Featuring Deion Sanders
Episode: Deion Sanders | What's In The Docs?
Release Date: January 27, 2025
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: Deion Sanders
In this episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes Deion Sanders, a two-time Super Bowl champion and the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes. The conversation sets the stage for an engaging discussion about Deion's illustrious career, his role in revitalizing college football, and insights into his personal life and aspirations.
Deion Sanders, affectionately known as "Coach Prime," shares his journey from an NFL superstar to a transformative college football coach. He discusses his transition from coaching at Jackson State University to taking the helm at the University of Colorado, emphasizing his impact on re-energizing the college football landscape.
Deion Sanders [15:12]: "I've been watching you for a minute too, man. I just wish you were comfortable in the spotlight. You are. Neon. Neon. But you're more than that."
Delving into his persona, Deion explains how the nickname "Prime Time" originated and evolved. He recounts how he crafted this image during his college years to ensure financial stability for his family, particularly to honor a promise to his mother.
Stephen Colbert [16:03]: "Tell me about primetime. How did that Persona come about?"
Deion Sanders [16:06]: "Because this agent back in the day, he slid me the financials for everyone in the National Football League. And I found out at that time that my position, defensive backs, were one of the lowest paid positions in the league... So I created this image right in my dormitory room called primetime."
Deion elaborates on his coaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of discipline, personal growth, and mentorship. He highlights the youth football league he started, which grew from 1,200 kids to a comprehensive program encompassing various sports and activities.
Deion Sanders [18:24]: "I stumbled upon it like I was retired. Now I want to just be a dad... So I call some of my friends that played in the NFL with me that was retired, and I said, let's start this youth football league."
A heartfelt segment of the discussion focuses on Deion coaching his two sons, Shiloh and Shador, at Colorado. He shares touching moments, such as walking on the field with them and supporting their journey toward the NFL.
Deion Sanders [19:48]: "We started when I was coaching them in youth and they would lay their uniforms out in the closet because they were so excited. Now they're young adults getting ready to go into the NFL."
Stephen Colbert probes into Deion's experiences with the NFL draft, both personally and through his sons. Deion offers advice on handling the pressures and criticisms that come with the draft process, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and not succumbing to external negativity.
Deion Sanders [21:42]: "Look, don't believe nothing they say right now because it's the assault. They're gonna assault you and say, you're not this, you're not that, because they want you to come. So don't believe this stuff."
Highlighting his versatile sports career, Deion discusses the distinct experiences of playing in both the Super Bowl and the World Series, reflecting on the differences between these pinnacle moments in football and baseball.
Deion Sanders [26:17]: "The difference is, for the Super Bowl, I get one shot. For the World Series, if I struck out and went over four, over five, I get to do it again."
The episode is peppered with humorous exchanges, including a lighthearted segment where Stephen seeks Deion's guidance on reacting to plays during a football game. Their banter showcases the comfortable rapport between host and guest.
Stephen Colbert [29:32]: "Okay, so there's only 10 total in this scenario. 20%."
Deion Sanders [29:36]: "But you give me some hands, all right."
As the conversation wraps up, Deion reflects on his journey, the lessons learned, and his aspirations for the future. Stephen Colbert expresses admiration for Deion's achievements and contributions both on and off the field.
Deion Sanders [27:24]: "Yeah, that means I was pretty good, right?"
Stephen Colbert [27:24]: "Yes."
Key Takeaways:
Legacy and Impact: Deion Sanders has significantly influenced college football through his dynamic coaching style and dedication to player development.
Personal Motivation: His commitment to providing for his family drives his professional endeavors, embodying the ethos of hard work and resilience.
Dual-Sport Experience: Playing in both the Super Bowl and the World Series underscores Deion's exceptional athletic versatility and competitive spirit.
Mentorship: Beyond coaching his sons, Deion's establishment of a youth football league demonstrates his passion for nurturing future generations of athletes.
This episode offers listeners an intimate glimpse into Deion Sanders' multifaceted life, blending professional insights with personal anecdotes, all delivered with the signature humor and warmth that The Late Show Pod Show is known for.