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, nicknamed "Prime Time", is an American football coach and former professional football and baseball player. He's currently the head coach for the Colorado Buffaloes. During his playing career, he spent 14 seasons in the NFL, playing for teams like the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys, securing two Super Bowl titles. He also played nine seasons as a baseball outfielder in the MLB for teams like the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves, making a World Series appearance in 1992. Sanders is the only athlete to ever play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series.

Sections (4)

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

1961: McNeil's Interception Record

In 1961, Charlie McNeil set a record for interception return yardage in a single season, a record that Deion Sanders would later surpass.

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: All-American Recognition

In 1986, Deion Sanders was recognized as a third-team All-American while playing college football under coach Bobby Bowden.

1987: All-American Cornerback

In 1987, Deion Sanders was named a two-time unanimous All-American cornerback.

1988: All-American and Punt Return Leader

In 1988, Deion Sanders was a two-time unanimous All-American cornerback, he won the Jim Thorpe Award, and led the nation in punt return average, breaking the school's record for career punt return yards.

1988: Jim Thorpe Award

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

1989: Home Run and Touchdown 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 accomplish this feat.

1993: Career-High Interceptions

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

1994: Defensive Player of the Year

In 1994, Deion Sanders was selected as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

1995: Jersey Retired at Florida State

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

1995: Charting of "Straight to My Feet" in the UK

In 1995, the song "Straight to My Feet" with Sanders, from the Street Fighter soundtrack charted No. 57 in the UK.

1996: Two-Way Starter

During the 1996 season, Deion Sanders concentrated on football and attended his first NFL training camp to learn the wide receiver position, becoming only the second two-way starter in the NFL since Roy Green.

2011: Hall of Fame Induction

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

2015: Lip Sync Battle Victory

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, they lost in the Celebration Bowl to South Carolina State.

2022: Celebration Bowl Appearances

In 2022, Deion Sanders led the Jackson State Tigers to two consecutive Celebration Bowl appearances and the first undefeated regular season in school history.

2024: Successful Season at Colorado

In 2024, Colorado under Sanders finished the regular season 9-3, tying for first in the Big 12. Travis Hunter won the Heisman trophy, and Shedeur Sanders finished 8th in Heisman voting. Their jerseys were later retired.

July 28, 2025: Bladder Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

On July 28, 2025, Deion Sanders announced he had bladder cancer and underwent surgery to have his bladder removed, after which he was considered cancer-free.