How Colorado is honoring Dominiq Ponder

In the wake of quarterback Dominiq Ponder's tragic death, Colorado Buffaloes players and coaches have come together to honor him. (Photo by Hannah Howell/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes kicked off spring football training with heavy hearts and the promise of remembrance.

Following the news that quarterback Dominiq Ponder had passed away in a car crash on Sunday morning, his teammates and coaches came together, not just to set the tone for the season, but to make sure they honored him throughout. 

To do so, head coach Deion Sanders detailed an addition to the team’s uniforms this year: a patch on the front of their jerseys, over their hearts, to keep Ponder at the forefront of the season.

“The first thing for us offensively is making sure we honor our brother Dom today,” offensive coordinator Brennan Marion said before Monday’s practice. “[Being] excited to practice football today, get an opportunity to do that. Obviously, we’ve learned that everybody doesn’t get that chance. Don’t take it for granted today.”

Players were given a choice of several variations with Ponder’s nickname and initials. They appeared to choose the design that said “DP 22.”

Along with the new jersey design, the team began practice with a new huddle break: “Dom on three!” It’s just one example of how the team is remembering him. 

After the news of his death broke, tributes poured in from his teammates and coaches on social media. 

“Dom was one of my favorites!” Sanders shared on X. “He was loved, respected and a born leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him and had the opportunity to be in his presence.”

On Monday, in a press conference expected to detail numerous changes to the team, the focus was on Ponder’s lasting impact on the program.

“Our mentality was we got to get back to work, and we got to honor Dom in the way that we work and we’re going to do it for him,” senior defensive back Ben Finneseth said. 

A common theme was Ponder’s work ethic, exemplified by Marion’s now widely shared statement: “In an era where you have to force people to work hard, you had to tell Dom to stop working so hard.”

Despite being with the program for just a couple of months, Marion told stories of how committed Ponder was to the program and his teammates. He made flashcards out of Marion’s entire playbook to learn it quickly. He drove freshman quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne to practice every day. 

He may not have been the most well-known player on the team, but his energy was integral. Behind the scenes, he lifted his teammates and set a standard of hard work. 

“Really blessed to get the opportunity to be around that young man for the time that we had together,” Marion said.

This is not how the Buffs wanted to start their 2026 campaign, and it won’t be easy to fight through. But Ponder’s mindset – to show up every day, no matter his feelings, and work hard – is a mindset the team is carrying with them now more than ever. His memory will be with them throughout the season, right over their hearts.