"My mother never saw me play a game": When $45 million worth Deion Sanders reflected on his high school days

By Aman Sharma

Modified Sep 25, 2024 17:30 GMT

Deion Sanders, the legendary NFL cornerback and current head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, recently opened up about the personal challenges he faced during his high school football days. In a conversation with Ed Mylett, Sanders shared that his mother, who worked tirelessly to support their family, was never able to attend any of his games. Reflecting on that time, he explained:

"So my mother never saw me play a game in high school football, baseball or basketball. I was the man. She never saw me. So it was my dream and my goal and my aspiration that I was going to retire her. And she was never going to have to work another day of her life."

"My mother lives with me right now. And guess what? Since 1988, she ain't never worked a day of her life."

Growing up in Fort Myers, Florida, Sanders was a standout athlete at North Fort Myers High School, excelling in multiple sports, including football, baseball and track. He earned a spot on the prestigious Florida High School Association’s All-Century Team in 1985, which recognizes the top athletes in the history of Florida high school football.

Deion Sanders' dedication paid off when he was selected fifth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, following four years at Florida State. True to his word, he ensured his mother no longer had to work, fulfilling a lifelong promise.

“My mother has not worked since 1989 when I signed the dotted line for the Atlanta Falcons. And she would never ever work another day because that was my rabbit in this steel. My mother lives with me. So every time I go home and see her. It's my rabbit. I'm still chasing that.”

---

Deion Sanders believes the NFL is a perfect fit for Colorado's Travis Hunter

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders thinks that two-way star Travis Hunter will thrive even more in the NFL, where his dual role as a wide receiver and cornerback will be easier than in college football. Speaking on Fox Sports' Big Noon Kickoff, Sanders explained,

"If he plays cornerback, and he's being dominant out there, and you sit up there and you can't move the ball at the next level, you're gonna say 'Well, my best receiver's on the sidelines, somebody come on'... Travis is a football player, and you can't have a football player on the sidelines,"

Deion Sanders also noted that the slower pace of the professional game will suit Hunter’s style.

"And the pro game is much slower. Everybody goes to the huddle. There's no tempo. You don't hit anybody in practice, you barely hit anybody in the game now... the pro game is much more suited for Travis to do what he's doing now."

Hunter has already proven himself as a dominant two-way player. Despite missing three games last season, he led the FBS in snaps during his sophomore year 2023. In Colorado's recent 28-9 victory over Colorado State, he played 123 of 138 snaps, contributing two touchdown catches and an interception.