This Sunday afternoon, sports fans received the heartbreaking news of the death of Dominic Ponder, a 23-year-old quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes. Authorities confirmed it was a single-vehicle crash.
One of the first to react was Deion Sanders, head coach of the Colorado football team:
“God please comfort the Ponder family, friends & Loved ones,” the coach posted on X. “Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good 1.”
Shedeur Sanders’ message
Shedeur Sanders Message
Shedeur Sanders also shared an emotional response to the tragic news.
“Hurt about this,” wrote the Colorado quarterback, posting a photo of Ponder on his Instagram account.
According to the Colorado State Patrol report, Ponder was driving a 2023 Tesla when he lost control of the vehicle on a curve and crashed into a guardrail. The car later struck an electrical utility pole and rolled down an embankment.
The college football quarterback was pronounced dead at the scene in Boulder County. Authorities stated that a preliminary investigation suggests excessive speed may have been a contributing factor.
From a football standpoint, Ponder appeared in two games for the Colorado Buffaloes football program last season, completing 0 of 1 passes and recording two carries for a loss of four yards. The 6-foot-5 sophomore from Opa Locka, Florida, began his college football career at Bethune-Cookman before transferring to Colorado.
The Buffaloes spring practice was scheduled to begin on Monday.