Injury Forces Charlie Offerdahl to Retire From Colorado Football

Charlie Offerdahl, Colorado’s senior running back, has announced he is retiring from football, citing repeated concussions.

Offerdahl walked on at Colorado and earned a scholarship during Deion Sanders’ first season in 2023.

During his three seasons in Boulder, the Littleton, Colorado native carried the ball 61 times for 264 yards and one touchdown. His decision reflects growing awareness of long-term health risks for players dealing with head injuries.

Head coach Deion Sanders responded emotionally to the news, calling Offerdahl a “prototype man” and insisting that the young athlete was like family to the program. Sanders acknowledged the difficulty of the moment, describing how he had “boo-hooed like I was part of the family.”

Offerdahl’s retirement carries implications for the Buffaloes’ depth in the backfield. With a running back room already under evaluation for 2025, Colorado now must rely on returning backs and incoming recruits to fill the void. His departure also reminds the individuals everywhere of the toll football can take, especially on walk-on contributors who earn scholarships through persistence and grit.

For Colorado’s broader story, the program continues to build under Sanders’ leadership. While Offerdahl was a role player more than a star, his journey from walk-on to scholarship athlete symbolized the cultural change at Colorado. That spirit remains central as the team heads into its second season under Coach Prime.