Every year, several notables around the game of American football are honored in Canton, Ohio at the professional football hall of fame. In truth, probably the biggest honor that one associated with the sport can achieve; the induction ceremony always precedes the football season, and this year’s class included legends from a number of fields.
Among them, all-star defensive end Richard Dent, running back Marshall Faulk, linebackers Chris Hanburger and Les Richter; filmmaker Ed Sabol, tight end Shannon Sharpe and cornerback Deion Sanders, who actually played for a time with the Bats.
Call him Neon or Primetime, Sanders, throughout his career was best known as a legend with the Dallas Cowboys but was also known for his versatility. Like athletes like Bo Jackson before him, Deion went pro in several sports including baseball, most notably around here with the Cincinnati Reds.
After some time in the Queen City, Sanders took the field as a Bat, who were known at the time as the Riverbats, I’ve touched on Sanders time in the Derby City when I named the athlete to my “all-bats team" recently.
According to WDRB, Sanders actually made a stop back into the ‘Ville on his way to Canton. Sanders had brought the youth football team he coaches with him and their parents from Dallas to play Louisville’s East End Warriors at Seneca high school.
As for Sanders himself, he is an eight time pro-bowl and all-pro selection, two time Superbowl champion with the Cowboys, two time NFC defensive player of the year, Jim Thorpe award winner, NFL all-90’s team selection, and has since been ranked the 34th greatest player in the NFL of all time by NFL.com.
On a baseball front, he’s spent time with the Yankees, Braves, Reds, and Giants and led the national league in triples in 1992.
Outside sources: WDRB,Pro-Football Hall of Fame,Wikipedia
Image: D. Rose
