Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has taken the college football world by storm since joining the program this season. So much so that his name was brought in one of the most unexpected places yet, a Senate hearing on NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) when Texas Senator Ted Cruz was compared to the former NFL star.
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker was talking during the NIL hearing, where he introduced Cruz in perhaps the strangest way possible, by calling him “the Deion Sanders of the Republican Caucus”.
“Thank you,” said Booker. I will be turning it over to the real chairman. But I just want to say that next up is the Deion Sanders of the Republican Caucus, Ted Cruz.”
The Prime effect made its way to Congress during Tuesday's NIL hearing 🤭
(via @cspan) pic.twitter.com/MJo9HzdNc7
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 17, 2023
It seemed like it was supposed to be an insult to Cruz. But Cruz actually took it as a form of endearment, stating that he actually plans to use that quote in attack ads against Booker in the future.
“That may be the kindest introduction that I have ever gotten in my life,” said Cruz as Booker laughed. “I will say to the Senator from New Jersey that he may find that introduction played in attack ads against him in his home state. So I apologize for that ahead of time.”
Cruz actually appears to be very well-versed in the world of sports, even hilariously calling out college football officiating during the hearing on Tuesday.
Sen. Ted Cruz says he, like many of the general public, does not understand targeting and "it pisses me off" when his teams are penalized for this.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 17, 2023
It is still pretty wild that Deion Sanders is now a big enough name in sports to be mentioned in a Senate meeting. But that just shows how impressive his brand truly is at Colorado.
