Deion Sanders is one of the most iconic athletes of all time, having played for the NFL, MLB, and NBA. He was the first athlete to ever play in both the NFL and MLB in the same season, and he was a two-time Super Bowl champion. He was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. But what three sports did Deion Sanders actually play?
High School Sports
At North Fort Myers High School, Sanders was a multi-sport athlete. He played football, baseball, and basketball. He was a standout in all three sports, and he was named an All-State player in all three. He was also an All-American in football and basketball, and he was a two-time Florida High School Athletic Association state champion in track and field. He was also a talented long jumper.
College Sports
At Florida State University, Sanders continued to excel in multiple sports. He played football, baseball, and ran track and field. He was a two-time All-American in football, and he was a two-time All-American in track and field. He was also a two-time ACC Player of the Year in football, and he was a two-time ACC Athlete of the Year in track and field. He was even named an All-American in baseball in 1989.
NFL Career
Sanders was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1989 NFL Draft. He played in the NFL for 14 seasons, playing for the Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Baltimore Ravens. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time first-team All-Pro selection. He was also named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1994.
MLB Career
Sanders played professional baseball from 1989 to 2001. He played for the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, and the Baltimore Orioles. He was a four-time All-Star and a two-time World Series champion. He was also the first player to ever hit a home run and score a touchdown in the same week.
NBA Career
Sanders played in the NBA for one season, in 1994-95. He played for the Dallas Mavericks and averaged 6.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
Olympic Sports
In addition to the three sports he played professionally, Sanders also competed in the Olympics. He was a member of the US track and field team in 1992 and 1996, and he competed in the long jump. He was a three-time Olympic medalist, winning gold in the 4x100m relay in 1992, and bronze in the long jump and 4x400m relay in 1996.
Other Sports
Sanders also competed in other sports, such as golf, bowling, and softball. He was also a talented bowler, and he was a member of the Professional Bowlers Association Tour for two years. He competed in the PBA Tour events, and he was even featured in a PBA Tour television commercial.
Conclusion
Deion Sanders was a multi-sport athlete who played football, baseball, basketball, track and field, and other sports. He was a two-time Super Bowl champion, a two-time ACC Player of the Year, and a three-time Olympic medalist. He was also the first athlete to ever play in both the NFL and MLB in the same season. He was truly one of the most talented and versatile athletes of all time.
FAQ
- What three sports did Deion Sanders play? Deion Sanders played football, baseball, and basketball.
- Did Deion Sanders play in the NBA? Yes, Deion Sanders played in the NBA for one season, in 1994-95.
- Was Deion Sanders an Olympic athlete? Yes, Deion Sanders was a member of the US track and field team in 1992 and 1996, and he competed in the long jump.
- Did Deion Sanders play any other sports? Yes, Deion Sanders competed in other sports, such as golf, bowling, and softball.