ExtremeRavens Posted December 7 Posted December 7 Most people’s memories of their experiences at 3 years old eventually escape them. But Shedeur Sanders’ is clear. Ray Lewis can stand out in that way. Deion Sanders, the star quarterback’s father and coach at Colorado, played the final two seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the Ravens in 2004 and 2005. Shedeur spent much of that time hanging out in the team’s locker room, watching Lewis and others get treatment after games alongside his father in his twilight years. “That was my favorite memory,” Sanders said, pausing to look to the ceiling of the Four Seasons Hotel ballroom in an attempt to recall more, “that I can kinda remember.” Sanders returned to Baltimore on Friday to accept the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given annually to the top upperclassman quarterback in college football. It was another moment in the spotlight for the 22-year-old who’s spent nearly his entire football career in it. But such is life for the son of Deion Sanders, a reality Shedeur knows and has mastered how to prevent it from hurting his play on the field. “You know how my dad is — every day of his life is in the spotlight,” Sanders said. “Growing up that way and understanding the nuggets he dropped on us from Day 1, it helped us a lot.” Sanders was a three-star recruit out of Trinity Christian High School in Texas, where Deion Sanders was the team’s offensive coordinator. When Deion became coach at Jackson State, a historically Black college at the FCS level, in 2020, Shedeur followed and became the school’s fourth-highest rated recruit ever. The father-son and coach-quarterback tandem stuck together again and moved to Colorado to embark on reviving a dormant program. They needed just two seasons in Boulder to accomplish that. Now, Sanders is destined for the NFL and an expected top pick in April’s draft. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders holds the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award alongside, from left, John Unitas Jr., Gino Torretta and John Unitas III during a ceremony Friday in Baltimore. (Taylor Lyons/Staff) Sanders threw for 3,926 yards, a Colorado single-season record and third most nationally this season, leading the Buffaloes to their most victories in eight years and a five-win improvement from last season. His 35 passing touchdowns and 74.2% completion rate both rank second in the country. “This is a trophy that represents me going in the right path,” the senior quarterback said with Unitas memorabilia surrounding him on stage. “Knowing the history of the award and the player he was, it’s amazing that they picked me.” He’s already been named the Big 12 conference’s Offensive Player of the Year. Sanders is a finalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, also given to college football’s top signal caller. And he’s a possible finalist for the Heisman Trophy, although his teammate and two-way sensation Travis Hunter is the favorite to win. Sanders and Colorado will miss out on the College Football Playoff, but Deion Sanders said he expects both Shedeur and Hunter to play in the Buffaloes’ bowl game later this month. “As a quarterback, you carry the weight of the team on your shoulders,” said Gino Torretta, the 1992 Golden Arm winner and keynote speaker Friday. “You’ve demonstrated the qualities that make a quarterback great.” “There’s more to Shedeur than his statistics,” John Unitas Jr. said. “He’s known for his work ethic and commitment to community service. He actively participates in outreach initiatives and has become a role model for many, many athletes. This is something my father felt passionate about. “Candidates for the Golden Arm are judged not only for their athletic achievements, but also for their character, sportsmanship, integrity, citizenship, scholastic achievements, teamwork and leadership qualities. Shedeur clearly epitomizes all that my father envisioned.” The trophy was first awarded in 1987, and the award ceremony moved to Baltimore in 2006. The Golden Arm Education Foundation awards scholarships to students in Maryland and Kentucky, where the former Baltimore Colts legend played college football at Louisville. Former winners include Peyton and Eli Manning, Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels. Sanders joins elite company, but isn’t ready to talk about it yet: “I got my own category,” he said through a grin. He’s on the precipice of joining them in the NFL, the final step of Sanders’ ascension that’s been accelerated — and perhaps at times stunted — by his polarizing father. Eight former Golden Arm winners are still playing in the league. “Soon to be nine,” Unitas Jr. said, turning away from the podium and toward the potential top draft pick to his left. “Right, Shedeur?” Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons. View the full article Quote
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