In order for Sanders and Hunter to participate in the Alamo Bowl, Colorado cancelled their insurance plans.

In the world of college football, bowl games are often seen as both a culmination of a team’s season and a showcase of individual talent. For many players, a chance to play in a bowl game is an opportunity to demonstrate their skills, improve their draft stock, and represent their school in front of a national audience. For others, bowl games hold even greater significance, especially for athletes who have already made a name for themselves and are on the cusp of entering the professional ranks. For Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, two of the most high-profile players for the University of Colorado Buffaloes in 2023, the Alamo Bowl against the Washington State Cougars was a major event. However, in order to ensure their participation in the game, the University of Colorado made a controversial decision to cancel their insurance policies—setting off a series of debates and questions about the financial and logistical implications for college athletes and the role of bowl games in their professional futures.

This move—canceling their insurance policies—was far from a routine decision. It stemmed from the pressure to ensure that both Sanders and Hunter, who were highly regarded as potential NFL draft prospects, could participate in the bowl game without jeopardizing their future career prospects. With both players being key figures in the first year of Deion Sanders‘s tenure as the head coach of Colorado, their performance in the Alamo Bowl had the potential to solidify their status as top-tier talent in college football. However, the risks of injury were ever-present, and the decision to remove the safety net provided by insurance policies raised serious concerns.

To fully understand the complexities of this decision, we need to explore the background of Sanders and Hunter, the nature of insurance policies for college athletes, the significance of the Alamo Bowl, and the larger implications of such a decision in the evolving landscape of college football.

Background: Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter

Shedeur Sanders, the son of head coach Deion Sanders, became one of the most talked-about quarterbacks in college football in 2023. Transferring to the University of Colorado from Jackson State University, Shedeur immediately made his mark with an impressive season that showcased his passing accuracy, poise under pressure, and leadership. His strong performance, combined with his familial ties to one of the most charismatic and legendary figures in football history, put him firmly in the conversation as a potential first-round pick in the NFL Draft.

Travis Hunter, a highly-touted two-way player, was one of the top recruits in the 2022 class, choosing to follow Deion Sanders from Jackson State to Colorado. Hunter’s versatility as both a wide receiver and cornerback made him a standout talent and an instant star for Colorado. With his ability to play both sides of the ball at an elite level, Hunter was seen as a rare generational talent. By the end of the 2023 season, many analysts predicted that he would be a top pick in the NFL Draft—making his participation in any postseason game a critical decision for his future.

Both Sanders and Hunter were not just the heart of the Colorado Buffaloes, but also national sensations, drawing significant attention from fans, media, and scouts. Their decision to participate in the Alamo Bowl against Washington State was not only a testament to their desire to compete for their team but also a reflection of their high stakes in the football world.

The Role of Insurance Policies in College Football

In the world of college football, athletes with professional prospects often take out insurance policies to protect themselves from the financial fallout of injury. These policies are designed to provide compensation if a player suffers a significant injury that damages their ability to play professionally, thus affecting their future earning potential. For college athletes like Sanders and Hunter, who were widely regarded as potential high-round NFL draft picks, the risks associated with playing in a bowl game—especially one that isn’t part of the College Football Playoff—are considerable.

Insurance policies typically come in two forms: loss-of-value (LOV) insurance and disability insurance. LOV insurance is particularly important for players who are projected to be high draft picks. It protects the player’s potential earnings in the event of a career-threatening injury. Disability insurance, on the other hand, covers medical costs and lost income in case of an injury that directly affects the athlete’s ability to perform. While these policies can offer some financial safety, they are expensive, and the premiums are often paid by the athletes themselves, their families, or the schools.

In the case of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, both players were believed to be on the cusp of entering the NFL Draft, where their earnings potential was extremely high. As such, it was crucial for them to mitigate the risk of injury. However, in the world of college football, many athletes and schools find themselves caught between the desire to have star players participate in bowl games and the reality of how damaging a serious injury could be to a player’s future.

The Alamo Bowl: A Key Stage for Colorado and Its Players

The Alamo Bowl, which took place on December 28, 2023, was an important postseason game for Colorado. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Deion Sanders, the Buffaloes had experienced a season of highs and lows, with the program showing promise but also experiencing growing pains. Despite a rollercoaster regular season, the chance to play in a prestigious bowl game was a huge opportunity for Colorado to gain national exposure and end the year on a high note.

For Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, the Alamo Bowl was an important opportunity to further showcase their skills. Scouts and NFL teams were keenly watching the game, as it could help determine their draft positions. Both players had the chance to solidify their cases as future pros and demonstrate their potential on a national stage. Given the hype surrounding their talents, the stakes were incredibly high. However, their decision to play in the game was fraught with risks—most notably, the possibility of suffering a major injury that could impact their draft stock.

This reality posed a challenge for both the athletes and the university. Colorado’s coaching staff, as well as its athletic department, had to weigh the benefits of having their star players participate in the bowl game against the potential risks of losing them to injury before they could turn professional. Ultimately, the decision was made to cancel the insurance policies that had been in place for both players, ensuring their participation in the game while also creating a significant amount of uncertainty for their futures.

Why Did Colorado Cancel Their Insurance Plans?

The decision to cancel Sanders and Hunter’s insurance policies is undoubtedly controversial and unusual. Typically, once an athlete takes out insurance, the policy remains in effect until the player either declares for the NFL Draft or has completed their college eligibility. However, by canceling the insurance plans, Colorado essentially chose to assume the full risk that an injury could negatively impact the players’ careers.

Several factors likely contributed to this decision. First, the Alamo Bowl represented a major opportunity for Colorado to gain national attention. With Deion Sanders already a media magnet, the game offered the school a chance to cap off an exciting season in a high-profile way. Having Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter on the field was integral to drawing attention to the game and ensuring that Colorado’s program continued to be in the spotlight.

Additionally, from a football standpoint, it’s possible that the coaching staff felt strongly that the players’ participation in the game was essential for team morale and performance. After a season of ups and downs, having their star players on the field for the bowl game may have been seen as crucial to sending the team off into the offseason on a positive note.

On a more pragmatic level, canceling the insurance plans may have been a financial decision. The cost of maintaining these insurance policies—especially for high-profile players like Sanders and Hunter—could be significant. While the exact reason behind the cancellation remains unclear, it’s likely that the school, in conjunction with Deion Sanders and the players’ families, weighed the potential rewards of playing in the bowl game against the risks involved.

The Larger Implications of the Decision

The decision to cancel the insurance policies for Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter also brings to light broader questions about the current state of college football and the shifting landscape surrounding player compensation, NIL deals, and the growing influence of the NFL Draft. With more players than ever entering the draft from college, the financial stakes have never been higher, and programs must carefully navigate the balance between player safety and the demands of a highly competitive, revenue-generating sport.

The move also highlights the increasing tension between schools, athletes, and the growing commercial aspect of college sports. Players like Sanders and Hunter are now seen as commodities in the modern era of college football. Their decisions to play or not play in bowl games may have far-reaching consequences not only for their future careers but also for the bottom lines of the programs they represent.

Moreover, the decision could set a precedent for other schools to follow in the future. As bowl games continue to become more commercially significant, universities may increasingly face pressure to weigh the risks of injury against the financial rewards of participating in these high-profile events. The question remains: how much should schools risk for the sake of tradition, exposure, and a single game, when the long-term future of their athletes is at stake?