In a landmark moment for Florida State University and the broader world of college athletics, two of its most iconic alumni — Deion “Prime Time” Sanders and Derrick Brooks — have united to create a multi-million dollar endowment aimed at elevating the Seminoles football program and youth development across the region.
The initiative, announced at a press conference held on Florida State’s campus Tuesday, will fund enhanced training facilities, scholarship opportunities, leadership development programs, and community engagement projects. The goal is to not only maintain FSU’s status as a football powerhouse but also to support underserved youth in Tallahassee and surrounding communities.
The endowment, initially valued at $25 million, was jointly funded by Sanders, the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award winner, and Brooks, the 2000 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. Together, the two legends emphasized that this is about more than football — it’s about building a legacy rooted in opportunity, education, and empowerment.
“Florida State is more than a school. It’s where boys became men. This endowment is about giving that same gift to generations to come,” said Deion Sanders, current head coach at Colorado and former two-sport FSU star. “We’re not just building better athletes — we’re building leaders.”
“It’s our duty to give back,” added Derrick Brooks, the Hall of Fame linebacker who starred for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after his legendary FSU career. “We want these young men to leave FSU better than they came — not just as players, but as people.”
FSU Athletic Director Michael Alford called the gift “transformational,” noting that it’s the largest football-specific endowment in school history. “This is a turning point. Coach Sanders and Mr. Brooks are showing what true Seminole pride looks like.”
The university plans to dedicate the new “Sanders-Brooks Legacy Center”, set to break ground in early 2026, as a hub for mentorship, career development, and athletic excellence.
The gesture has already sparked excitement across the Seminole Nation, further linking two of the greatest names in FSU history to the program’s bright future.
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