Deion Sanders has built a culture at the University of Colorado that extends far beyond the football field. The legendary coach continues to bring in high-profile speakers to motivate his team, and this time, he enlisted one of Hollywood’s greatest actors—Denzel Washington.
Washington appeared via video call on Thursday, dropping gems to the Buffaloes with insight on success, faith, and perseverance. His speech, which lasted over 30 minutes, wasn’t just about football—it was about life.
Washington, who recently became a licensed minister in New York, opened up about his own struggles as a young man. He spoke candidly about his past drug use, his early failures in college, and even how he dealt with disappointment in Hollywood—including drinking to cope when he lost an Academy Award.
Washington reminded the players that fame, wealth, and success don’t always bring happiness.
“When you pray for rain, you’ve got to deal with the mud too,” he told the team. “But eventually, good things grow out of that mud.”
He also encouraged them to focus on faith over fleeting public approval.
“Don’t rely on this world for your happiness,” Washington warned. “Because it’ll tell you Tuesday that they love you, and Wednesday that they hate you.”
Sanders, who has made it a point to mentor and inspire his players beyond just X’s and O’s, was clearly moved by Washington’s words. In a clip shared by Thee Pregame Network, Sanders can be heard expressing his admiration for the two-time Academy Award winner.
“I love you. I appreciate you,” Sanders told Washington. “I almost ran off the road when you FaceTimed me that first time. I didn’t know what to do.”
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