Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders coached the Celebrity Flag Football game as part of the NFL’s Pro Bowl festivities. Among the celebrities on Team Druski included streamer Rakai. The 17-year-old who has a shade under 940K followers on YouTube.
On February 15, Rakai posted a video where he discussed certain comments Sanders made to him off camera during his celebrity game performance. However, Sanders took some playful issue with Rakai’s assertion.
In a related viral moment, Sanders roasted Druski for his performance. “You gave the other team everything you’ve got,” Sanders said laughing. “I'm going to say this bluntly, I don’t know if anyone’s every told you this. You’re horrible. Just flat out horrible. There’s no way to sugar coat it. If you played for me, I’d take your NIL, your apartment keys, I would take your car keys, I’d take everything.
Whether or not Sanders’ Druski comments gave Rakai extra confidence in his performance, Rakai felt good about his performance. Objectively, Rakai did play well. Or at least better than many would have predicted. He was active on defense and showed an ability to make people miss and gain yards after the catch.
One rather common characteristic found in streamers is talking big and carrying a certain gravitas when streaming. Declarative statements and an elevated sense of the moment. Perhaps Rakai’s comments embellished a little more than Sanders was willing to let slide.
Deion Sanders checks Rakai
During Rakai’s stream he claimed that Sanders spoke to him after the game and attempted to convince Rakai to make a career change. “Deion said, I'm not gonna lie Brodie, you wanna put down all that streamer stuff and come play college ball. I’ll give the deal,” Rakai claimed Sanders said. “I know I'm nice at football but I'm not doing all that.”
In a Well Off Media video posted on Sunday, Bucky Sanders approached Coach Sanders and ask him to confirm Rakai’s claims. Coach Sanders looked up at Bucky from a barber’s chair and said, “Can you get Rakai on the phone so we can discuss this?”
Then after looking back into the camera Sanders acknowledged, “I love him, I think he played his butt off, he has talent. I don’t know if he’s a college athlete at this point.”
The very next portion of that same Well Off Media video includes a personal address from Sanders. The coach in that address did not aim his comments at Rakai directly and this address did come off like any of his other addresses meant to motivate or inspire anymore. However, that subject of that address did seem intentional.
“I'm here to tell you, you need to get in the game. What does that mean? You on the sideline. You on the bench. You ain't even in this thing. You just in the stands talking, talking, talking, running your mouth. But you got so much to say about those that are. Maybe get in the game. What you scared of, what you're afraid of, but forget your yesterday and don't fear tomorrow. Ain't no way you can win if you ain't in the game, but you always got something to say. I need you to shut up and get in the game.”
More: Shedeur Sanders’ jersey retirement was 'breaking point' for Colorado legend
It's very plausible those comments were just the comments he was inspired to make to no one specifically. The editing choice is peculiar though.
There is no public record of Rakai’s size. Based on his time in that celebrity game, he looks to be no more than 5’6 and could not possibly weigh close to 200lbs. Anything short of 5’9 and 180+ would be concerning of any college football prospect.
More: Demond Williams bombshell could've resulted in Lane Kiffin being fired at LSU
He is shifty and elusive but showing flashes in a flag football game is far from the same thing as being a legitimate Power 4 college football prospect. Sanders’ reaction to seeing the live stream footage would suggest Sanders did not say those things, even if he did not categorically deny it on camera.
Regardless of any legitimate college football future the 17-year old streamer may or may not have, this little exchange game YouTube and streaming fans some tea to digest.
More college football news: