As talk about Travis Hunter, Deion Sanders and Shedeur Sanders continues to soak the NFL zeitgeist, another member of the team is looking to make his mark in the league. Jimmy Horn Jr. played wide receiver alongside Travis Hunter, catching passes from Shedeur Sanders. He also has a connection to the Sanders family that runs deeper than most.
Jimmy Horn Jr.’s Connection to Deion Sanders
Most college players only take orders and the occasional tip from their head coaches. Horn Jr. took much more. Sanders mentored Horn Jr. on and off the field.
Their connection was so strong that it even elicited comments from Jimmy Horn Jr.’s father, Jimmy Horn Sr., who is incarcerated due to drug-related charges.
Sanders spoke about the wide receiver’s relationship with him at Colorado’s Senior Day.
More Than A Coach
Colorado star wideout, Jimmy Horn Jr, whose dad is in prison, asked Coach Prime to walk out with him on Senior Day. Prime also planned to go with Jimmy to visit his dad the next day.
A beautiful thing. #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/mB2IcvyhX5
— Apex Jones (@ApexJones22)
“Jimmy is like my kid; I love him that much. We’ve talked about some personal things throughout his couple seasons here. I want to go with him on Sunday to see his father as well. He just turned around and asked me [to walk out with him], so that’s how that transpired. I said, ‘Shoot, you know you don’t have to ask me twice! I got you. I got you.’ It’s unbelievable, man. I love him that much.”
With Horn Sr. largely out of the picture, Horn Jr. turned to Sanders as a father figure. That didn’t stop Sanders from working to help reconnect the wide receiver and his father.
What Deion Sanders Did for Jimmy Horn Jr.’s Father
While Sanders sees himself as a father figure, and Horn Jr. sees him the same way, that didn’t stop Coach Prime from trying to reunite the two Horn family members. Sanders recorded a video on Aug. 14, 2024, that was played for a judge in an effort to help Horn Sr. earn his release from prison.
Coach Prime message for Colorado WR Jimmy Horn Jr. Father who has Court Today 🖤 pic.twitter.com/aeFuFhBAW9
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs)
“Your Honor, I just want to tell you candidly that I’m praying for Jimmy Horn Sr., who’s been incarcerated for a multitude of years and who has his court date today. His son, Jimmy Horn Jr., has left to go see his father and be there for whatever transpires,” Sanders said in the video.
“I just want you to know that I’ve talked to Jimmy Horn Sr., and truly, he has served a multitude of years. He has repented for what has transpired, and he is truly a different man.
“I sincerely believe in Jimmy Horn Sr., and I love Jimmy Horn Jr. … Please find some kindness in your heart and look at the track record and understand that he deserves another chance.”
The video didn’t appear to immediately resolve the situation, but the gesture spoke volumes about the connection between Sanders and Horn Jr.
Now, the two are set to part ways as the NFL Draft runs April 24-27. Still, as a father figure, Sanders seemingly has two sons to watch closely as they begin their journeys to the pros.
