(Video) Colorado OC Brennan Marion Gets Emotional While Talking Dominiq Ponder’s Untimely Death

Colorado OC Brennan Marion led his players into season's first practice session a day after quarterback Dominiq Ponder passed away.

(Video) Colorado OC Brennan Marion Gets Emotional While Talking Dominiq Ponder’s Untimely Death

Dominiq Ponder and Brennan Marion inside the circle (Image via LA Times/X)

In Short
  • Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion expressed deep sorrow over the death of quarterback Dominiq Ponder, highlighting his positive impact on teammates.
  • Ponder died in a single-car crash early Sunday morning in Boulder County, prompting tributes from teammates and coaches.
  • Marion vowed to honor Ponder's memory throughout the season, emphasizing the importance of his spirit in the locker room.

Colorado players returned to the facility to kick-start offseason practice with a heavy heart. Everyone is still mourning the untimely death of quarterback Dominiq Ponder. Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion sat down to speak with the media and eloquently described Ponder as a player and a person.

Although Colorado appointed Marion in December last year, he quickly established a good rapport with his players. Ponder became one of his favorites. So, when the Colorado State Police announced the young signal caller’s death on Sunday, Marion found it hard to process the news.

Dom had an impact on everybody…his energy was contagious.

Marion said in a deep voice

He further praised Ponder’s work ethic and hunger to become a better player.

He [Dominiq] flash-carded every single play of my playbook I gave him. He picked Kaneal [Sweetwyne] up every day and brought him to practice. Dom touched everybody.

Marion recounted

Marion promised to honor Ponder’s memory throughout the season, especially in the locker room.

According to the initial police investigation, Ponder died in a single-car crash that occurred at around 3 a.m. Sunday in Boulder County. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, along with Ponder’s teammates, posted tributes on X. Marion retweeted Coach Prime’s post, adding a couple of his own thoughts.

A joy to be around & coach! gonna be tough, but man, this one hurts. Lord, getting that call from his dad today didn’t feel real. Love you, Dom! God cover his family & our team.

Marion tweeted

CU Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo said,

The entire CU Athletics family is devastated at the tragic passing of Dominiq Ponder. He epitomized the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, toughness, and intelligence that were revered by his teammates and coaches alike. Our hearts go out to his family and all of his teammates during this difficult time.

With Kaidon Salter set to graduate, Ponder had a great chance of starting for the Buffaloes in 2026. But first, he had to beat out five-star prospect Julian Lewis in the offseason. Colorado recruited Lewis ahead of the 2025 campaign, and he played sparingly as a freshman.

Teammates of Dominiq Ponder reacted to his death

Losing a dear friend and teammate is heartbreaking. That said, with the college football season a few months away, players need to start getting some training done.

(Video) Colorado OC Brennan Marion Gets Extremely Emotional While Talking Dominiq Ponder's Untimely Death
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

The Colorado players practiced on Monday for the first time in this college football cycle. After the training wrapped up for the day, the media asked Colorado offensive lineman Yahya Attia to say a few words about his teammate and how it fuels the Buffaloes heading into the new season.

It’s really like we got another why [reason] to play for. And for the O-line especially you know it is the quarterback, so it is kind of sad not being able to protect him off the field, but it is gonna make do everything to protect my quarterbacks I have left on the field.

Yahya Attia said

Colorado cornerback RJ Johnson elaborated on Marion’s words when the media asked him to describe Ponder’s personality in the locker room.

Dom was a great guy… [Dom] was somebody who kept the locker room together, even though he was not playing on the field. He was still the joy for everybody around the locker room… Always smiling, always laughing, always goofing around. He would definitely want us to be here today, practicing and having a smile on our face. He would not want anybody to be down.

RJ Johnson said

The Buffaloes finished with three wins in 2025, following a successful 2024 campaign in which they competed for the BIG 12 title. Coach Sanders is contracted to the Buffaloes for the next few years, so the Buffaloes are in good hands.

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