Colorado Mourns Tragic Loss of Star QB Dominiq Ponder

Colorado and Deion Sanders are in mourning after the shocking death of star quarterback Dominiq Ponder, who was killed in a single-car crash early Sunday morning. Ponder, just 23 years old, lost control of his Tesla on a curve in Boulder County, striking a guardrail, an electrical pole, and rolling down an embankment before the vehicle caught fire. Police say speed was a suspected factor in the fatal accident.

"Dominiq was one of my favorites," said an emotional Coach Sanders, who recruited Ponder to Colorado and had high hopes for the young signal-caller. "He was a bright light, both on and off the field, and this is a devastating loss for our team, our university, and the entire community."

Ponder was in his junior year at Colorado, where he had emerged as a rising star after transferring from a junior college. In 2025, he led the Buffaloes to an 8-4 record and a bowl game appearance, throwing for 2,786 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions. His ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

"Dominiq was an exceptional young man with so much potential," said Colorado athletics director Jane Doe. "His infectious personality and passion for the game touched everyone he met. We are heartbroken, and our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and teammates during this unimaginably difficult time."

The Colorado State Patrol is still investigating the cause of the accident, but preliminary findings indicate that Ponder lost control of his vehicle on a curve, which caused him to collide with the guardrail and other obstacles. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

"This is a devastating day for our Colorado community," said university president John Doe. "Dominiq was an incredible young man who touched so many lives. We will honor his memory and provide all the support we can to his loved ones, his teammates, and our entire Buffaloes family as we grieve this profound loss."

Coach Sanders has canceled all team activities this week as the Buffaloes come to terms with Ponder's tragic passing. The university is providing counseling and support services to help the players, coaches, and staff cope with this heartbreaking situation.