Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reflects on his 1988 Jim Thorpe Award win and his current coaching career: “For me, it meant I just told y’all who I was. That’s it. I knew who I was.” “I was just waiting for you to give me the damn trophy to solidify who I was,” Sanders said. Sanders, known as “Prime Time,” won the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award honoring the best defensive back in college football. Mike James, executive director of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, emphasized the importance of character in award selection. “Winning the Thorpe Award is 51% character and 49% on-field play,” James said.James also highlighted Sanders’ influence even before his NFL career. “Deion was prime time. “Even in college, the nickname ‘Prime Time’ didn’t hit the scene the way it did when he got to the NFL and made his end zone street when he made a pick six,” James said . KOCO has covered the Jim Thorpe Award for years and interviewed Sanders during his visit to Oklahoma City. “Well, Jerry, I’m with three very elegant gentlemen tonight. Let’s start here with Florida State’s Deion Sanders, one of tonight’s honorees. Deion, what is it? is going through your head?” Mick Cornett asked in 1988: “That trophy. That’s the first thing that comes to mind,” Sanders replied. “Do you have a chance?” Cornett asked, “I don’t think so. I’m sure one of these guys has already been told who won, but they won’t tell me. I’m still looking forward to it,” Sanders said.>> Download the KOCO 5 app. Photos from the night Sanders won the award show him as a star two-way player for the Florida State Seminoles. The banquet’s program featured Sanders and two other college football legends in competition. James also explained the significance of the award’s namesake, Jim Thorpe. “Jim Thorpe played on both sides of the ball when he played football and in defense. “He played defense,” James said. “When Sanders won the Jim Thorpe Award, the ceremony was modest.” Lynne (Draper) told me there were no limousines and no fanfare. Someone went out and picked Deion up from the Oklahoma City airport and took him to the venue where the banquet was being held and then the announcement was made,” James said. The awards ceremony has since developed into a grand gala celebrating the winner every year. There was hope that Sanders could return to Oklahoma City as Colorado’s head coach if two-way star Travis Hunter, a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, won. However, he was not selected as a finalist. “He (Travis Hunter) should win the Thorpe, the Biletnikoff, the Jerry Rice and the Prime Awards. He should win every damn award you get,” Sanders said. Click here to get the latest news of interest. James also expressed his admiration for Sanders’ coaching skills. “Deion is a great coach. I’ve never had the chance to meet him. But who knows, maybe he’ll be here in February,” James said. Sanders said he believes it should be “They should have the best cornerback in college football. They should call it the Prime (Award),” Sanders said. Top Headlines Live Updates: Black Friday 2024 sales at Amazon, Target and more Oklahoma Ford Gameday: The Cowboys look to end the season on a high note. Oklahoma City police are investigating Friday morning. The City Rescue Mission ensures no one goes hungry on Thanksgiving