Deion Sanders

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Lore & Background

Sanders' time with the Falcons began with immediate dominance after being selected fifth overall in the 1989 NFL draft. His presence on the field was so impactful that he became a central figure in professional sports history, notably becoming the only player to ever hit a home run and score an NFL touchdown in the same week during the 1989 season. This dual-sport stardom extended into his baseball career with the New York Yankees, where he wore number 71 before requesting single-digit 30, a move that offended veteran players but highlighted his unique status. On the football field, Sanders was primarily a cornerback who intercepted 14 passes in his college career at Florida State, including three in bowl games. He famously returned one interception 100 yards for a touchdown, breaking Fred Biletnikoff's record by one yard. This defensive prowess translated to the pros, earning him eight Pro Bowl nods and six first-team All-Pro selections while with Atlanta. His confidence was matched only by his ability; he made consecutive Super Bowl appearances later in his career with the 49ers and Cowboys, winning both titles.

In Their Own Story

In 1989, Sanders entered the league as a fifth-overall pick and immediately faced a unique challenge: balancing two major sports. That summer, he played for the Albany-Colonie Yankees of the Double-A Eastern League while simultaneously preparing for NFL training camp with the Falcons. A contract dispute with Atlanta led him to use his baseball commitment as leverage, but he ultimately made his MLB debut on May 31, 1989. By mid-July, uncertainty loomed over whether he would remain with the Yankees or report to the Falcons, a tension that defined his early professional years. The defining moment of his dual-sport dominance occurred during the 1989 season when he hit a home run in MLB and scored an NFL touchdown in the same week. This feat cemented his legacy as a singular talent. While playing for the Atlanta Braves later, he hit a key three-run homer against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 31, only to leave the very next day to report to the Falcons due to a specific clause in his NFL contract, missing the baseball postseason. Despite these departures and returns, his impact on the field remained undeniable, leading to his induction into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking Deion Sanders' impact with the Atlanta Falcons, the key metrics revolve around his unmatched versatility and record-setting achievements. As a cornerback, he secured eight Pro Bowl selections and six first-team All-Pro nods during his time in the league, starting his journey with the Falcons after being drafted fifth overall in 1989. Key turning points include his 1989 season, where he became the only player to hit an MLB home run and score an NFL touchdown in the same week. His college legacy also informs his pro value: at Florida State, he intercepted 14 passes, breaking a record with a 100-yard return. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent a level of athletic dominance that allowed him to play both football and baseball at the highest levels simultaneously. His tenure in Atlanta set the stage for his later Super Bowl victories with the 49ers and Cowboys, but it was the foundation laid in Georgia where he earned the nickname 'Prime Time'. His jersey number 2 at Florida State was retired in 1995, reflecting the lasting influence of a player who once told the world that 'the days of slavery are over' during an on-field confrontation with Carlton Fisk.

Did You Know?

• Sanders is the only athlete in history to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series.
• In 1989, he became the only player ever to hit an MLB home run and score an NFL touchdown in the same week.
• He was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 6th round of the 1985 MLB draft but chose Florida State University instead of signing.
• Sanders broke Fred Biletnikoff's interception return record at Florida State by one yard with a 100-yard touchdown return.
• His first name is spelled 'Dion', but he began spelling it 'Deion' after learning the nursery rhyme 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm'.