From NFL Legend to Tennis Rookie: Deion Sanders Adds a New Chapter to His Legacy
Deion Sanders has never been one to stay in one lane. Known for his electrifying presence in both the NFL and MLB, Sanders is once again showing the world he’s not done competing. Now 57, the Colorado Buffaloes head coach—better known as Coach Prime—is taking on a brand-new sport: tennis.
Sanders’ legendary sports journey began in 1989 when he stunned scouts at the NFL Combine, famously refusing to take the Giants’ extensive test because he was sure they wouldn’t get the chance to draft him. He was right—the Falcons selected him fifth overall. That same year, he made his MLB debut with the Yankees and soon became the only athlete in history to hit a home run and score an NFL touchdown in the same week.
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Fast forward to today, and Coach Prime has already made waves in the college football scene. After guiding Jackson State to back-to-back SWAC titles in 2021 and 2022, he took on the challenge of transforming the University of Colorado’s football program. His charisma and vision attracted top talent like Travis Hunter and his sons Shedeur and Shilo Sanders, both of whom are now chasing their dreams in the NFL.
But Sanders isn’t stopping at football. He recently took to Instagram to unveil his newest competitive obsession: tennis. Sharing photos of himself on the court, Sanders humorously declared his mission to become “Prime Blackenroe,” a nod to the tennis legend John McEnroe. Despite dealing with chronic foot issues and only having eight toes, Sanders isn’t backing down. “Give me six months and I’m gonna be PRIME BLACKENROE!… I’m working with 8 toes and a lot of pain, but baby, I’m working,” he wrote.
His motivation? A personal challenge to beat his friend and actor Leon Robinson in a one-on-one match. Though a fan suggested he try pickleball instead, Sanders made it clear he wanted a solo sport: “At this stage in my life, I want it me and not teammates. I got this.”
While Coach Prime is adding tennis to his list of pursuits, his sons are forging their own NFL paths. Shedeur Sanders, once projected as a top-five pick, fell to the fifth round before being picked by the Cleveland Browns. He now finds himself in a competitive quarterback room alongside Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, and Dillon Gabriel. However, early rookie minicamp reports praised Shedeur’s sharpness, hinting at potential down the line.
Shilo Sanders, on the other hand, went undrafted but quickly signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Competing for a role in a secondary led by four-time Pro Bowler Antoine Winfield Jr., Shilo has already impressed the coaching staff with his intelligence and vocal leadership. He recently signed a rookie deal worth $2.96 million, making his path to a roster spot even more promising.
Whether it’s competing on turf, the diamond, or now the court, Deion Sanders remains the embodiment of relentless drive and reinvention. And with his kids chasing their own NFL dreams, the Sanders legacy is only getting started—both on and off the field.