Deion Sanders's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Deion Sanders. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Deion Sanders is an American football coach, currently the head coach at the University of Colorado-Boulder. He is a former professional football and baseball player, playing 14 seasons in the NFL and 9 seasons in MLB. He played for teams such as the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves. Sanders is the only athlete to have played in both a Super Bowl and a World Series, winning two Super Bowl titles.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1985: All-Century Team Honoree

In 1985, Deion Sanders was named to the Florida High School Association All-Century Team, which selected the top 33 players in the 100-year history of high school football in the state.

1986: Third-Team All-American

In 1986, Deion Sanders was named a third-team All-American while playing for Florida State University.

May 16, 1987: Conference Championships

On May 16, 1987, Deion Sanders participated in the Metro Conference baseball semifinal game, ran a leg of a 4 × 100 relay, and then played in the baseball championship game against Cincinnati. The FSU track team was the overall conference champion, and the baseball team also won the conference title.

1987: Consensus All-American Cornerback

In 1987, Deion Sanders was recognized as a consensus All-American cornerback for Florida State University.

1988: Jim Thorpe Award and Punt Return Leader

In 1988, Deion Sanders won the Jim Thorpe Award and led the nation in punt return average while playing for Florida State University.

1988: Jim Thorpe Award

In 1988, Deion Sanders won the Jim Thorpe Award while playing college football as a cornerback for the Florida State Seminoles.

1989: Home Run and Touchdown in the Same Week

During the 1989 season, Deion Sanders achieved the unique feat of hitting a home run in MLB and scoring a touchdown in the NFL in the same week.

1989: Sugar Bowl Win

In 1989, during the 1988 postseason, Deion Sanders made an interception with five seconds left to seal Florida State's 13–7 win over Auburn in the Sugar Bowl.

1992: Best Season in the Majors

During the 1992 season, Deion Sanders had his best year in the majors, hitting .304 with 26 stolen bases and leading the NL with 14 triples in 97 games.

1992: World Series Appearance

In 1992, Deion Sanders made an appearance in the World Series, making him the only athlete to play in both a Super Bowl and World Series.

1993: Career-High Interceptions

In 1993, Deion Sanders recorded a career-high seven interceptions while playing for the Atlanta Falcons.

1994: NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award

In 1994, Deion Sanders was selected to eight Pro Bowls and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.

1995: Jersey Retirement at Florida State

In 1995, Deion Sanders' No. 2 jersey was retired at Florida State University due to his accolades.

1996: Two-way Player

During the 1996 season, Deion Sanders concentrated on football, skipped the baseball season, and attended NFL training camp. He became only the second two-way starter in the NFL since Chuck Bednarik.

1997: Second in NL Stolen Bases

In 1997, Deion Sanders finished second in the NL with 56 stolen bases in 115 games while playing for the Cincinnati Reds before taking a three-year break from baseball.

2004: Comeback with the Baltimore Ravens

In 2004, Deion Sanders came out of retirement and signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens, choosing to wear number 37 to reflect his age.

2011: Hall of Fame Induction

In 2011, Deion Sanders was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2015: Victory on Lip Sync Battle

In 2015, Deion Sanders competed against Justin Bieber on Spike's Lip Sync Battle and won with performances of "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry and "Like a Virgin" by Madonna.

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2021: SWAC Title and Eddie Robinson Award

In the fall 2021 season, Deion Sanders led the Jackson State Tigers to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title and a program record of 11 wins, earning the Eddie Robinson Award as the season's top FCS head coach. However, Jackson State lost in the 2021 Celebration Bowl.

2022: Undefeated Regular Season

In 2022, Deion Sanders led the Jackson State Tigers to the school's first undefeated regular season.

2022: Recruitment of Travis Hunter

In 2022, Deion Sanders successfully flipped the recruitment of Travis Hunter, the number one overall recruit, from Florida State to Jackson State, marking a significant moment for HBCU recruitment.

2024: Strong Season and Heisman Trophy

In 2024, Deion Sanders coached Colorado to a 9-3 regular season record and a tie for 1st in the Big 12. Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy and the team retired the jerseys of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders after the season.