As a young southern boy, I may have been a self-professed Dallas Cowboy fan, but something inside of me still reserved a little bit of hope for that close regional team. So as an undercover Atlanta Falcons fan, I’ll never forget the excitement of the 1989 NFL Draft. I was just heading into college to play football at the University of North Carolina after having won the 3A State Championship in the state in North Carolina. The Falcons selected the dynamic and explosive Deion Sanders with the fifth overall pick out of Florida State. From his very first game, it was clear we had something special on our hands. He electrified the crowd by returning a punt 68 yards for a touchdown in his NFL debut, setting the stage for an incredible career.
Sanders dazzled us for five seasons with the Falcons (1989-1993), and his impact was undeniable. Over his 14-season, 188-game career with five different NFL teams, he scored six touchdowns on punt returns, three on kickoff returns, and returned nine interceptions for scores. He also returned one fumble for a touchdown and recorded 60 receptions for 784 yards and three touchdowns while in Atlanta. In total, he amassed 53 career interceptions, including five during his brief return with the Ravens after a three-year retirement.
It’s no surprise that Sanders was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s as both a cornerback and a punt returner. He led the NFL in punt returns in 1998 with an impressive 15.6 average and topped the NFC in kickoff returns in 1992, as well as interceptions in 1991 and 1993.
While his return skills were incredible, Sanders was most celebrated as a “shutdown corner.” He earned first-team All-Pro honors nine times at cornerback and was recognized by some media outlets as an All-NFL kick returner in 1992 and a punt returner in 1998. His talent earned him eight Pro Bowl selections throughout his career.
At retirement, Sanders ranked second all-time in interception return yardage with 1,331 yards and tied for second in most interceptions returned for touchdowns, both in a career (nine) and a season (three). His 303 interception return yards with the 49ers in 1994 were third-best in NFL history at the time, and he made history that season by becoming the first player ever to have two 90-yard interception returns for touchdowns.
Deion also made his mark in the postseason, winning two Super Bowls. He started at right cornerback for the 49ers in their 49-26 victory over the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX and played left cornerback for my beloved in the Cowboys’ 27-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX.
For true bloods, and us regional support Falcons fans, “his time”Prime Time” in Atlanta remains a proud chapter in our team’s history, showcasing a player whose electrifying talent left a lasting legacy in the NFL.