Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder dies aged 23 says Deion Sanders
Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder has died at the age of 23, head coach Deion Sanders announced on Sunday.
Sanders confirmed the news regarding the third-year sophomore in a statement released on social media.
The Buffaloes head coach paid tribute to Ponder, describing him as “one of my favorites”.
‘A born leader’
Writing on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Sanders highlighted the impact Ponder had on the locker room.
“He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader,” Sanders wrote.
“Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good one.”
No details regarding the cause of death were immediately made available.
The tragic announcement comes just one day before Colorado are scheduled to open their spring practice sessions in Boulder.
From Florida to Boulder
Ponder had spent the past two seasons with the program after transferring from Bethune-Cookman.
The Opa Locka native appeared in two games during the previous campaign, recording two rushes and a single pass attempt.
Prior to his time in the NCAA, the quarterback played high school football at Carol City and Naples in Florida.
He also spent time developing at Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy in South Carolina before making the move to the collegiate level.