Deion Sanders

American cornerback and return specialist who played at Florida State, known for his exceptional speed and shutdown coverage abilities in college football

Born in Fort Myers, Florida, in 1967, Deion Luwynn Sanders emerged from humble beginnings to become one of the most electrifying athletes in sports history. At North Fort Myers High School, he excelled in football, baseball, and basketball, demonstrating the multi-sport prowess that would define his career. His exceptional speed and athletic ability caught the attention of major college programs across the nation. Sanders attended Florida State University from 1985 to 1988, where he became a consensus All-American cornerback and established himself as college football's premier defensive back. His 14 career interceptions and 8 touchdowns showcased his game-changing ability, while his blazing speed on punt and kickoff returns created instant scoring opportunities that shifted game momentum. Sanders also competed in track and field, recording times that ranked among the nation's best in sprint events. Simultaneously, he starred for FSU's baseball team as an outfielder, earning All-American honors in both sports. His junior season culminated in winning the Jim Thorpe Award as college football's top defensive back. The Atlanta Falcons selected Sanders fifth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft, while the New York Yankees drafted him in baseball's 30th round in 1988. He became one of the few athletes to compete professionally in both the NFL and MLB simultaneously, appearing in both a World Series and Super Bowl. His NFL career spanned 14 seasons with five teams, earning eight Pro Bowl selections and two Super Bowl championships. Sanders was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Sanders revolutionized the cornerback position with his shutdown coverage ability and return skills, earning the nickname "Prime Time" for his clutch performances. After retiring, he transitioned to coaching, leading Jackson State University before becoming head coach at the University of Colorado in 2023. His college career at Florida State launched one of sports' most unique and successful multi-sport professional careers.

Lockdown cornerback with exceptional speed, agility and ball skills, dominant return specialist

One of the greatest college football players ever, revolutionized the cornerback position with his athletic ability and showmanship

• All-American
• Big East Defensive Player of Year
• Two-sport All-American (baseball+football)
• First round pick
• Jim Thorpe Award (1988)
• Consensus All-American (1987, 1988)
• ACC Player of the Year (1987)
• Two-time First-team All-ACC