Boulder, CO | July 29, 2025: Colorado Buffaloes running back Charlie Offerdahl has made the difficult decision to step away from football, citing a history of repeated concussions. Offerdahl, a respected leader on the team, informed his teammates and head coach Deion Sanders of his decision during a poignant team meeting held recently.
The emotional announcement was shared publicly on Coach Sanders’ Instagram page on Tuesday, offering a rare glimpse into the personal sacrifices student-athletes sometimes face. In the video, Sanders invited Offerdahl to address the team directly about his health status.
A visibly emotional Offerdahl delivered a heartfelt message to his teammates: “Obviously, I haven’t been here this summer. If it’s not obvious already, I won’t be coming back this year. You know, just how serious this last concussion was, and how many I’ve had leading up to it, it was pretty scary for me and my family. I will be hanging it up.”
He continued, expressing deep gratitude to the entire Colorado football program: “I just wanted to take this time to let everybody know here, and thank you guys, thank the coaching staff, thank the staff. The players, I love you guys. How much you guys have done for me, my football career and becoming a young man.”
Offerdahl then specifically thanked Coach Sanders for his unwavering belief, acknowledging, “Coach Prime, I love you, Coach. You believed in me when nobody else did, not even myself.”
The running back, who has played football since third grade, described the decision as “really tough.” However, he also revealed his future plans, announcing that he is enrolling in dental school and intends to pursue dentistry as his career path.
In a remarkable gesture of support, Coach Sanders immediately announced that while Offerdahl is stepping away from the gridiron, the University of Colorado will uphold his scholarship to assist him in his new academic and career pursuits. This commitment from Coach Prime underscores his dedication to his players’ well-being beyond their playing days.
Offerdahl spent three seasons with the Buffaloes, making significant contributions to the program. During his freshman season, he gained 150 rushing yards on 37 carries. Last season, he solidified his reputation as a team leader and participated in all 13 games. He notably scored his first career touchdown in a dominant 49-24 victory against Utah.
Offerdahl’s announcement comes just a day after Coach Sanders himself revealed his battle with bladder cancer. Sanders had his bladder removed during the offseason and declared he was “cured” following the procedure. He affirmed his intention to coach the Colorado Buffaloes this season, demonstrating immense resilience in the face of his own health challenges. The shared vulnerability and mutual support between Coach Sanders and Charlie Offerdahl highlight the strong bond within the Colorado football program.