Sanders, Deion << DEE on >> (1967-…), is one of the few athletes in American sports to have starred in two professional sports. As a football player, Sanders was an All-America defensive back in college and a star defensive player, kick return specialist, and wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). As a major league baseball player, Sanders was known for his speed as a base stealer and as an outfielder. He became famous for his flashy playing style in both sports and for his exuberant personality. He has been nicknamed “Neon Deion” and “Prime Time.”
Deion Luwynn Sanders was born on Aug. 9, 1967, in Fort Myers, Florida. He participated in football, baseball, and track at Florida State University, winning All-America honors in football in 1987 and 1988. Sanders played baseball with the New York Yankees in 1989 and then played football with the Atlanta Falcons the same year. As a baseball player, Sanders also played with the Atlanta Braves, the Cincinnati Reds, and the San Francisco Giants. As a football player, he also played for the San Francisco 49ers, the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Redskins (now called the Washington Commanders), and the Baltimore Ravens. He is the only athlete to play in both a World Series (1992 with Atlanta) and two Super Bowls (1995 with San Francisco and 1996 with Dallas).
Sanders retired from baseball in 2001, and from football in 2006. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Sanders was the head football coach at Jackson State University, in Jackson, Mississippi, during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In 2022, Sanders became the head football coach at the University of Colorado.
