"I'll be gone before then" - When Deion Sanders turned down Giants in savage fashion
NFL Hall-of-Fame defensive back Deion Sanders is one of the greatest defensive players of all-time and arguably the best cornerback in NFL history.
Coming out of Florida State in college, Sanders was regarded as a top-pick and was projected to go in the top five. Before being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons number five overall, Sanders visited many teams during the pre-draft process.
In 2017, he recalled a specific visit with the New York Giants and their bizarre draft process.
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Deion Sanders was drafted by the @AtlantaFalcons with the 5th Overall Pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. Primetime proved to be a master at locking down other teams top receivers early on as he picked off 24 passes over his 5 years in the ATL.
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Sanders recalled being given a psych test by general manager George Young and then dipping from the interview as a result:
“They sat me down and gave me a thick book. I mean, this thing was thicker than a phone book. I said, ‘What’s this?’ They said, ‘This is our test that we give all the players.’ I said, ‘Excuse me, what pick do you have in the draft?’ They said, I think, 10th [actually 18th]. I said, ‘I’ll be gone before then. I’ll see y’all later. I ain’t got time for this.’ That’s a true story.”
When Deion Sanders blew off Giants over crazy psych test dlvr.it/NYZDjl https://t.co/vXCp1zQS0i
Deion Sanders had one of the best careers in NFL history
Deion Sanders knew that he wouldn't last as long as pick No. 18, which was the Giants' pick that year. Sanders was right as the Falcons picked him with the fifth-overall pick.
In his 14 year NFL career, he was named to eight Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams while becoming a two-time Super Bowl champion.
The ballhawk recorded 53 interceptions, 512 tackles, 10 defensive touchdowns, 10 forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries, and nine special teams touchdowns.
Following his NFL career, he worked as a broadcaster and analyst on TV, most notably with NFL Network. He became the Jackson State Tigers' head coach in 2020 and piled up a 27-5 record as head coach in three seasons.
Deion Sanders is preparing to accept the head coaching job at Colorado following Jackson State's SWAC title game on Saturday, per @PeteThamel https://t.co/terGA6fVxC
He recently inked a deal with the University of Colorado to become their new head coach in 2023. One can bet that Deion Sanders' recruiting process will not involve evaluating prospects the way the Giants did with him.