"I got up and walked out": When Deion Sanders opened up about rejecting New York Giants after they asked him to take a test
Deion Sanders built a successful career in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls with two different teams. After his retirement, Coach Prime was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
During an appearance on the "Rich Eisen Show" in 2019, Deion Sanders shared an interesting story about his NFL draft day that involved the New York Giants.
"So I'm backing away from crowds and people who are trying to grab me. I back into this room and the Giants were there," Coach Prime said. "They had people sitting down taking these tests. I sat down and then they gave me this thing. They say this is a test and we need you to take it.
"I said 'hold on, what pick do you have?' And it's like the 10th. I was like 'alright I'll be gone long before then.' So I got up and walked out. And I said 'I'm not going to you. Don't draft me, I'm gonna play baseball if you do."'
Sanders was drafted fifth by the Atlanta Falcons in 1989. He played five seasons with them before spending one year with the 49ers, winning his first Super Bowl.
Coach Prime then joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1995 and won his second Lombardi trophy at Super Bowl XXX.
Sanders now uses his experience to help develop future superstars of the game. His sons, Shedeur and Shilo, are preparing for their professional careers.
NFL reporter Peter King calls out Deion Sanders' draft antics amidst criticism around Shedeur
Shedeur Sanders received a lot of criticism after deciding to skip the Scouting Combine. His alleged behaviour during meetings with NFL teams has also sparked concern.
Veteran NFL reporter Peter King compared Shedeur's situation to his dad's when he was drafted in 1989. King said that the quarterback is following in Coach Prime's footsteps and garnering attention as an out-of-the-box prospect.
"Deion Sanders, I remember this specifically in 1989, when he was in the draft, and he came out like gangbusters, Prime Time, cover of SI, being very, very counter NFL culture.
"And over the years, one of the things that I grew to respect incredibly about Deion Sanders is that he knew that a cornerback in the NFL was not going to make Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders money unless he wasn't just your average everyday great player in the NFL. And so he made himself into something that he knew would make him money, and he was smart."
Sanders is expected to be a top-five pick in the upcoming draft. The Titans, Browns and Giants have the first three picks and are all in need of a quarterback.