Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder passes away in single-car crash at 23; Deion Sanders and team mourn loss
This devastating loss comes at a pivotal time for the Buffaloes program under Coach Deion Sanders, as they gear up for the upcoming season. The team and university are rallying around Ponder's family and loved ones during this tragedy.
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder tragically lost his life in a single-car crash early Sunday morning in Boulder County. The 23-year-old sophomore was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
Details about the accident
The accident occurred around 3 AM when Ponder, driving a 2023 Tesla Model 3, lost control on a curve along Baseline Road. The vehicle crossed into the opposite lane, struck a guardrail, hit an electrical line pole, rolled down an embankment, and caught fire. Preliminary investigations point to speed as a suspected factor.
Dominiq Ponder's journey at Colorado Buffaloes
Dominiq Ponder, a 6-foot-5 standout from Opa Locka, Florida, had transferred to Colorado after starting his college journey at Bethune-Cookman. He appeared in two games for the Buffaloes last season, completing 0-of-1 pass attempts and rushing twice for a net loss of 4 yards. Despite limited playing time, his presence in the quarterback room left a lasting impact on teammates and coaches.
Tributes Pour in from head coach Deion Sanders and team
This devastating loss comes at a pivotal time for the Buffaloes program under Coach Sanders, as they gear up for the upcoming season. The team and university are rallying around Ponder's family and loved ones during this tragedy.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders shared a deeply emotional message on X shortly after the news broke.
“God, please comfort the Ponder family, friends, & Loved ones,” Sanders wrote. “Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all who knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord, you’re receiving a good 1.”
Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion echoed the grief
“Getting that call from his dad today didn’t feel real,” Marion posted. “Love you, Dom! God cover his family & our team, especially our QB room!”
Colorado athletic director Fernando Lovo praised Ponder's character, stating he “epitomized the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, toughness, and intelligence that were revered by his teammates and coaches alike.”
The university announced counseling support for players and staff as the team prepares for spring practice, which was set to begin Monday.
Fellow quarterback Colton Allen honoured his teammate on Instagram.
“Dom, you were a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote. “You had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I’m grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. I’ll carry those with me for the rest of my life.”
The Big 12 Conference also offered condolences via X, joining the college football community in mourning the young athlete.
About the Author
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
Stay updated with all the latest news and insights on Cricket, Football, and Tennis at Livemint Sports. Catch the live action of theT20 World Cup 2026 with the complete T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule, and the T20 World Cup 2026 Points Table. Also, know who are currently leading the charts for Most Runs in T20 World Cup 2026 and Most Wickets in T20 World Cup 2026.