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 for the Colorado Buffaloes and a former professional football and baseball player. He played 14 seasons in the NFL for multiple teams, including the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys, and 9 seasons in MLB. Sanders won two Super Bowl titles and reached the World Series, uniquely positioning him as the only athlete to have played in both a Super Bowl and a World Series.

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

1985: All-Century Team Selection

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 football at Florida State University.

1987: Stolen Bases at Florida State

In 1987, Deion Sanders compiled 27 stolen bases while playing baseball at Florida State.

1987: Consensus All-American Cornerback

In 1987, Deion Sanders was recognized as a consensus All-American cornerback for the second time while playing for Florida State.

1988: Consensus All-American and Punt Return Leader

In 1988, Deion Sanders was a two-time consensus All-American cornerback and led the nation in punt return average at Florida State.

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: Touchdown and Home Run in the Same Week

During the 1989 season, Deion Sanders hit a home run and scored a touchdown in the NFL in the same week, making him the only player ever to achieve this feat.

1993: Career-High Interceptions

In 1993, Deion Sanders recorded a career-high of seven interceptions during his time with 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 Retired at Florida State

In 1995, Deion Sanders' No. 2 jersey was retired at Florida State University, based on his outstanding football accolades.

1996: Two-way player

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

1997: Second in NL Stolen Bases

In 1997, Deion Sanders finished second in the National League with 56 stolen bases in 115 games while playing with the Cincinnati Reds before leaving baseball for three years.

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.

2014: Featured on Running Wild with Bear Grylls

In 2014, Deion Sanders was featured on an episode of Running Wild with Bear Grylls, where he hiked in the desert of southern Utah with Grylls for two days.

2015: Lip Sync Battle Winner

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. He was also named the recipient of the fall 2021 Eddie Robinson Award as the season's top FCS head coach.

2022: Undefeated Regular Season

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

2024: Colorado season performance and accolades

In 2024, Colorado finished the regular season 9-3, tied for 1st in the Big 12 conference. Travis Hunter won the Heisman trophy for Colorado, with Shedeur Sanders finishing 8th in Heisman voting. Following the season, Colorado retired the jerseys of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders.