- An autopsy report found Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit when he died in a car crash.
- His family has started the Dominiq Ponder 722 Foundation to promote responsible decision-making among young people.
- The foundation aims to provide scholarships, raise community awareness, and support children’s hospitals.
Colorado backup quarterback Dominiq Ponder had double the legal limit of alcohol in his system when he crashed his car and died in single-car accident in Boulder County March 1, according to an autopsy report obtained by USA TODAY Sports April 6.
The report states Ponder’s blood-alcohol content was 0.167 g/100 mL, more than twice the legal limit for driving under the influence in Colorado. His family hopes it can serve as a lesson for young people to make responsible decisions. They have started a foundation in honor of Ponder to promote awareness. Ponder was 23.
“If anything good can come from this loss, it’s the conversations it can start about responsible decision-making, supporting young adults, and making good choices even in ordinary moments,” Ponder’s mother, Catrina Hughes, told USA TODAY Sports. “A big part of his legacy will be to encourage young people to please make responsible choices and to have the courage to step in for their friends when one of them isn’t thinking clearly for themselves. Kids need to know that it’s OK to step in, take keys, call a ride, call a parent, speak up, do anything you can do, one small decision can save a life. Don’t be afraid even if it’s uncomfortable. A difficult conversation is easier than a lifetime of loss.”
The Boulder County Coroner’s report states Ponder’s cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries in an accident. “The deceased was a restrained driver involved in a single vehicle collision at a high rate of speed,” the report states.
Ponder lost control of his 2023 Tesla while negotiating a right-hand curve, burst through a guardrail, hit an electrical pole and rolled at least once, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The crash happened about 3 a.m. on the day before Ponder’s team opened spring football practice March 2.
The March 2 practice was going to be Ponder’s first wearing jersey No. 7, a number he earned after previously wearing No. 22. That is the name of the foundation being started in his honor – The Dominiq Ponder 722 Foundation. The GoFundMe page for it says funds raised will go directly toward scholarships for student-athletes who demonstrate resilience and character, community awareness initiatives about responsible decision-making and support for children’s hospitals.
Ponder was a popular backup quarterback at Colorado known for his big personality and smile. Colorado coach Deion Sanders delivered a eulogy about him and said he was “full of life, full of respect, hustle and hard work and integrity.”
Colorado plans to honor him with a jersey patch this season. The Buffaloes end the spring football season April 11 with an intrasquad scrimmage in Boulder.
“He was a determined student-athlete, a leader, and someone with a huge heart who fiercely loved his family, his teammates, and the game of football,” his mother said.
She hopes this news about his death will help raise awareness about choices.
“Hopefully someone will learn from this and we can save some lives.”
The Colorado athletic department also issued a statement April 6 and noted that it continues to provide support resources to those impacted by Ponder’s death, including counseling services for his teammates, coaches, and staff.
“CU Athletics remains deeply saddened by the loss of Dominiq Ponder,” the statement said. “Our thoughts continue to be with his family, his friends, and his CU football family as we all continue to process this unimaginable loss.”
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com
(This story was updated to add new information.)
