#ThrowbackThursday: Deion Sanders “Primetime”; One of a Kind Athlete Abner Jackson III Thursday, March 13, 2014 Game Xclusive, The Game Defensive back Deion Sanders #21 of the Atlanta Falcons walks on the field during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium on October 7, 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons won 28-27. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) Deion “Prime Time” Sanders was a three-sport athlete in football, baseball and track while attending Florida State University. Sanders led the track team to a conference championship and a two-time consensus All-American in football. He also won the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award, an award recognizing the top defensive back in college. Further along in life, Sanders went on to have a successful professional career in football and baseball. Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with 5th overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, Sanders was also drafted by the New York Yankees in the 30th round the year before (1988 MLB Draft). After two seasons with the Yankees, Sanders signed with the Atlanta Braves. Sanders had 5 interceptions as a Rookie and returned one punt for a touchdown. In 1991, Sanders had 6 interceptions and one was returned for a touchdown and he returned one kickoff for a touchdown. Sanders help lead the Falcons to the playoffs in 1991, they won their first game and was eliminated 24-7 by the Washington Redskins. Sanders only made the playoffs once in the five seasons he spent with the Falcons; intercepted 24 passes, 3 were returned for touchdowns; 3 touchdowns as a kickoff returner and he returned 2 punts for touchdowns. Sanders appeared in the 1992 World Series where the Braves lost 4-2 to the Toronto Blue Jays. However, Sanders did bat .533 with 8 hits, 4 runs, 2 double and 1 RBI in the series. Deion Sanders #24 of the Atlanta Braves runs the bases during a 1992 game against the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andy Hayt/Getty Images) Deion Sanders signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994 as a free agent. Sanders had 6 interceptions and returned half of those (3) for touchdowns. The 3 touchdowns were a career-high. “Primetime’s” first game facing the Falcons at the Georgia Dome, he returned a interception for 93 yards and help the 49ers beat his old team 42-3. He help the 49ers beat the Dallas Cowboys 38-28 in the NFC Championship (the Cowboys had won back to back Super Bowls). The 49ers went on to beat the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX in a blowout 49-26. Sanders had an interception in both games. He became the only player to ever play in the World Series and Super Bowl. Sanders signed with the Dallas Cowboys after only playing one season with the 49ers. Sanders help lead Dallas to a 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. Sanders signing help the Cowboys become first team to win three Super Bowls in four years. Dallas has never made it back to Super Bowl and by leaving the 49ers, Dallas became the favorite to win it all that season. During Sanders tenure in Dallas, the Cowboys only won one playoff game after their Super Bowl victory. Photo courtesy of www.sfgate.com Sanders signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins in 2000, Sanders had 4 interceptions with the Redskins. The Redskins failed to make the playoffs and Sanders retired from the NFL. Sanders returned to the NFL in 2004 with the Baltimore Ravens, but he played two seasons with the Ravens and retired for good in 2006. Sanders made 8 All-Pro Teams, was a 8-time Pro Bowler, won 2 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards during his pro career and his jersey is retired by the Atlanta Falcons and FSU Seminoles. Sanders was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 and Sanders is now a analyst for the NFL Network. Sanders is considered – by many – the best Cornerback to ever play in the NFL. Quarterbacks hardly ever threw his way and Sanders was the true meaning of shut-down corner back. Sanders was a threat on special teams, defensive and on offense as a Wide Receiver. He didn’t need the ball in his hands to control a game, he shut down the best Wide Receivers in the era he played in and had no problem covering the best receiver on a team. He was a two-sport star that hit a home-run and scored a touchdown in the same week…only player to do so. Photo courtesy of www.vanityfair.com He was a one of a kind athlete with amazing speed. He has one of the top times in the 40-yard dash in the NFL Combine history. Many players were two-sport athletes in high-school or college, but Sanders was the last player to do both professionally. Sanders released a music video for his single called “Must Be the Money” and an album called Prime Time in 1994. He was a icon. He was different with the high-stepping dance and also wearing his do-rags. Nike also gave Deion his signature shoe. So who will be the next Deion Sanders? The two-sport star and football player that can control a game in more than two ways. That remains to be seen.
