The Colorado Buffaloes are set to enter the Valero Alamo Bowl in true Coach Prime fashion. When the team takes on BYU on Dec. 28, they’ll do so on a modified, custom Boeing 777-200 jet complete with team and Rolls-Royce branding. Team quarterback Shedeur Sanders has the luxury of sitting in his own cubicle up front with a select handful of players.
The retired Boeing 777-200 has Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines and a paint scheme inspired by Colorado’s gray home alternative jerseys. The exterior features Buff’s branding, with a bold Buffaloes logo on the tail and Deion Sanders signature mantra, “Believe,” smacked on the plane alongside the Rolls-Royce logo on the jet engines.
If reports are correct, the particular aircraft has a history in football. Information online indicates that it was previously used by the Arizona Cardinals before the NFL team upgraded its fleet. Registered as 865DA under the Wilmington Trust Co. Trustee, the plane is part of a leasing program, a financially sensible move for the Buffs.
Coach Sanders didn’t shy away from joking about the stakes of their bowl game, telling his players, “If we dont handle our business, we’ll be on Southwest on the way back.” Coach Prime will be fighting history as the Buffaloes have played in 29 bowl games in their NCAA history with a record of 1217.
The Boeing 777-200 is known worldwide as one of the largest twinjet wide-body aircraft. It is celebrated for its exceptional range, fuel efficiency, and passenger comfort. The Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines that power it are part of the aerospace titans well-known turbine line, used in both commercial and military aircraft globally.
The engines not only enhance performance but also carry a level of prestige fitting for a team helmed by Sanders. Coach Prime previously gifted his players a pair of his signature Nike sneakers and custom gold sunglasses last season. Inside, the plane’s retro-inspired navy-blue leather seats nod to the early days of the 777, which debuted in 1995. With just 88 units of the model in existence and production ending in 2021, the Buffs will fly into the game with rare space and comfort.
The Buffs will face a tough test against No. 17 BYU in the Alamodome. They are looking to cap their season on a high note after a 9-3 record revitalized the program under Sanders. BYU started the football season on a nine-game win streak, including a 38-9 win over No. 13-ranked Kansas State.
Coach Prime has built a reputation for caring for his players and treating them like his old child, as documented by Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. After Sanders and Colorado secured unheard-of and record-breaking insurance coverage for his son Shedeur and Hunter, players began to speak out on their bonds with Sanders.
“They’ve taken care of us, everybody,” Colorado running back Micah Welch said. “It really means a lot to have every teammate up here. That’s a big thing. What I like about Coach Prime, they’re taking care of us.”
Leave a Reply