Boulder, CO – August 29, 2025, As the Colorado Buffaloes gear up for their season opener against Georgia Tech at Folsom Field, head coach Deion Sanders, also known as “Coach Prime,” has made headlines with a candid revelation about a recurring surprise during home games. In a recent interview with CBS Colorado’s Romi Bean, Sanders shared that the distinct smell of marijuana wafting from the stands, particularly in the second quarter, continues to catch him off guard.
“The smell of weed in the second quarter surprised the heck out of me. Like every game, I’m like, ‘Dang,’” Sanders said with a laugh. “It seems like it’s a ‘light-up’ quarter, you know what I’m saying? Like, so is this the quarter that y’all chose?” He noted that the odor is especially noticeable during TV timeouts, adding, “I’ve never been high a day in my life, so that’s kinda new to me.”
Sanders, now in his third season with the Buffaloes, has transformed the program since his arrival in 2023, leading the team to a 9-4 record and a bowl game appearance in 2024. However, the persistent cannabis aroma at Folsom Field remains a quirky aspect of the game-day atmosphere that he hasn’t quite adjusted to. This observation aligns with Colorado’s progressive culture, as the state was among the first to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012 through Amendment 64, allowing adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce and grow up to six plants for personal use.
Despite his lighthearted comments, Sanders maintains a strict stance with his players, emphasizing discipline both on and off the field. Ahead of the 2025 season, he implemented a new classroom dress code, prohibiting slides, hoodies, and headphones, and discouraging players from sitting in the back row to foster professionalism. Sanders has also been vocal about maintaining a no-smoking policy for his team, previously warning players before a bowl game, “If I smell smoke on your clothes at practice in the morning, at breakfast, at anything, that’s gonna be your last puff.”
The remarks come as Sanders prepares for a new era at Colorado, with key players like quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter having moved on to the NFL. For the upcoming season, Sanders has named Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter as the starting quarterback, with five-star freshman Julian Lewis also expected to see playing time.
As the Buffaloes kick off their 2025 campaign at 8 p.m. ET on Friday against Georgia Tech, the electric atmosphere at Folsom Field is sure to be a focal point. For Coach Prime, the game-day experience will likely include the familiar second-quarter scent that has become an unexpected tradition in Boulder.
Sources: CBS Colorado, Fox News, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports