Deion Sanders

Deion Luwynn Sanders (born August 9, 1967 in Fort Myers, Florida) is an NFL cornerback, former Major League Baseball player, and former CBS Sports commentator.

NFL Career

Deion Sanders's professional football career started the same year as his baseball career, 1989. He was the fifth pick of the first round in the 1989 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons, where he played until 1993. During his time there, he intercepted 24 passes, three for touchdowns. Although his tackling technique was poor and his covering technique was unconventional, his covereage aided by his blinding speed and athleticism made up for it, and opposing teams were forced to alter their offensive and special teams schemes accordingly. Over the course of his NFL career, Sanders was selected to 8 Pro Bowls in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, and was awarded the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1994.

Related Topics:
1989 - NFL draft - Atlanta Falcons - 1993 - NFL - 1991 - 1992 - 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award

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He played briefly with the San Francisco 49ers, where he won a Super Bowl, and went on to win another with the Dallas Cowboys, where he played for several years. He is the only player to catch a pass and make an interception in the Super Bowl. He later was acquired by the Washington Redskins, and retired in 2001, though he would later come back to play in the NFL in 2004.

Related Topics:
San Francisco 49ers - Super Bowl - Dallas Cowboys - Washington Redskins - 2001 - 2004

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During his 12-year career, Sanders was one of the most versatile weapons in the game. He intercepted 48 passes for over 1000 yards, and scored 22 touchdowns: eight interceptions, six punt returns, three catches, three kickoff returns, one rushing, and one fumble recovery. By the end of his career, offensive coordinators generally avoided utilizing Sanders' side of the field.

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One of the few successful two-way players of the modern NFL, Sanders was easily one of the most visible and outspoken to ever take the field. Even though he was widely known as an obnoxious, egomaniacal prima donna, and scorned for his infrequent tackling, Sanders' ability to shut down the entire field could not be denied.

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First retirement and comeback

After retiring from the NFL, Sanders worked as a sports pre-game commentator for CBS' The NFL Today until 2004, when contract negotiations failed. He was replaced by Shannon Sharpe.

Related Topics:
CBS - The NFL Today - 2004 - Shannon Sharpe

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Sanders frequently made guest appearances on ESPN, especially on the ESPN Radio Dallas affiliate, and briefly hosted a show called The New American Sportsman. He also hosted the 2002 Miss America pageant. Sanders has been married twice and has two children.

Related Topics:
ESPN - ESPN Radio - Dallas - 2002 - Miss America

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In January 2004, Sanders was hired as an assistant coach to the Dallas Fury, a women's professional basketball team in the National Women's Basketball League, even though Sanders had never played organized basketball either in college or the professional level.

Related Topics:
January 2004 - Basketball - National Women's Basketball League

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In 2004, Sanders announced that he was going to end his retirement. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens to be a nickelback. Sanders chose to wear the number 37, which matches his current age. This is an open statement on his part to let everyone know that he is well aware of his age, but refuses to let that negatively affect his game. On October 24, Sanders scored his ninth career touchdown on an interception return against the Buffalo Bills, moving him into a tie for second place behind Rod Woodson (12) all-time in that category. Sanders is one of a handful of NFL players to play after the age of 35.

Related Topics:
2004 - Baltimore Ravens - Nickelback - Rod Woodson

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In 2005, Sanders signed a 1-year deal with the Ravens reportedly worth $1.5 million.

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On September 2nd, 2005, in response to the terrible after-effects of Hurricane Katrina, Sanders challenged all professional athletes in the four major sports to donate $1000 each to relief efforts, hoping to raise between $1.5 to $3 million total. Sanders said "Through unity, we can touch thousands...I have friends and relatives that feel this pain. Help in any way you can."

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• College Football News named Sanders #8 in its list of 100 Greatest College Football Players of All-Time.
• The Sporting News named Sanders #37 in their Top 100 Football Players of the Century realeased in 1999.
• ESPN named Sanders #74 in its list of the 100 Great Athletes of the Century released in 1999.