Tag: Deion Sanders

10 of the most notable NFL players who also played in the MLB

Since the 1920s, close to 70 athletes have played for both leagues. And, for various reasons, these are 10 of the most notable.

The MLB’s Opening Day ceremonies would have kicked off today, had the sports world not been suspended indefinitely without play due to the coronavirus pandemic. One of the greatest moments in sports, the first day of baseball always produces a wave of nostalgia for the players and fans, an ageless stretch from the young to the old.

The trashcan jokes alone would have made this year’s festivities memorable, but alas, there will be no crack of the bat, no soothing PA announcements, no flyovers, and no snark at the Astros’ expense. All that is left—other than the enjoyable reruns of yesteryear—is list of NFL players who also played in the MLB.

Some history: Both leagues have interwoven throughout the decades, beginning in the 1920s when several MLB players joined teams in the newly formed NFL. (Before the ’20s, star baseball players, like Christy Mathewson, played both but the NFL was not yet official.)

Since then, close to 70 athletes have played for the MLB and NFL. And, for a few interesting reasons, these are 10 of the most notable.

Let’s play ball!

Jim Thorpe

(Photo by National Baseball Hall of Fame Library/MLB via Getty Images)

Thorpe was the original do-it-all athlete, which included gold medals and even pro basketball. He played major league baseball for the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and Boston Braves. During those years, Thorpe also played football. He began his career with the Canton Bulldogs, which was part of the inaugural 1920 NFL season, and then played for (and coached) a handful of teams after that. Surrounded by the fame of his heroics at the Olympics, Thorpe was a major draw for both sports, though football would turn out to be his more decorated. No other two-sport star has played for more NFL teams (six) than Thorpe.

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Julian Edelman to Tampa Bay would make sense

With Tom Brady now officially a Buccaneers, should Tampa Bay try and make a move for Pats WR Julian Edelman?

In the latest round of what-if scenarios, New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman’s name has come up, and it’s not completely out-of-the-blue. For the last six seasons, Edelman has been Tom Brady’s favorite target, with 530 catches, 5,793 yards and 32 TDs during that span.

Tuesday, Deion Sanders tweeted asking for the Patriots to trade Edelman to the Buccaneers, comparing the duo to peanut butter and jelly. To add fuel to the fire, Edelman liked the tweet, which has since been removed. Naturally, a screenshot was taken before Edelman removed his stamp of approval, because that’s how the internet works these days.

Reports surfaced that Brady wants to play with Antonio Brown, and while that may be true, it seems unlikely that comes to fruition, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. With so many names tied to the Buccaneers as of late, why not add Edelman to the mix?

Yes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have superstar wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans already on the roster, and don’t have a need to bring in Edelman. However, if you’ve followed Brady at all during his career, he likes familiarity with his targets, and his go-to receiver had 100 receptions last season.

If general manager Jason Licht wants to keep his new quarterback happy, he might want to — at the very least — see if the Patriots are open to a trade and what it would take.

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NFL players react to Darius Slay getting traded to the Eagles

NFL players react on Twitter to Darius Slay getting traded to Eagles

Darius Slay is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and one of the highest-paid players at his position after being traded by the Detroit Lions.

drafted by then Lions-head coach Jim Schwartz back in 2013, Slay has rounded into one of the best shutdown corners in the NFL and the Eagles finally have a guy who can win one on one battles with the best.

Slay allowed only three touchdowns on 93 targets last season, according to Pro Football Reference and he’s been to three straight Pro Bowl.

Defensive backs from around the league, including Deion Sanders weighed-in on the Eagles newest acquisition.

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29 NFL free-agent signings that resulted in epic failure

Deion Sanders, Larry Csonka and Orlando Pace were among free-agent signings that did not work out for new teams.

Free agency is like game of risk and reward. In some cases, the investment doesn’t pan out.

Matt Flynn

Getty Images

The Seattle Seahawks signed Matt Flynn to a three-year, $26 million deal in 2012. Flynn wasn’t able to beat out rookie Russell Wilson and the rest is history. Flynn was traded to the Oakland Raiders a year later and Wilson remains under center in Seattle.

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Deion Sanders’ support of Eli Manning seems to stop at Hall of Fame

Deion Sanders has long been a supporter of New York Giants QB Eli Manning, but that seems to stop at the Hall of Fame.

For many, many years, retired NFL legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders, has been an avid supporter of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. In fact, you often heard him singing, “I believe in Eli” on national television.

Sanders never strayed. He was a supporter of Manning from start to finish, never caving to the pressure that came along with standing by one of the most controversial quarterbacks of all-time. He always believed Manning was more talented than he was given credit for, and always believed he could win a game so long as the ball was in his hands.

However, Sanders’ support of Manning seems to have reached its end.

As Manning heads into retirement and the debate over his Hall of Fame candidacy rages, Sanders admits that too many regular Joes are getting in. And yes, that would include Manning.

From Pro Football Talk:

“What is a Hall of Famer now? Is it a guy who played a long time?” Sanders said. “It’s so skewed now. Once upon a time, a Hall of Famer was a player who changed the darn game, who made you want to reach in your pocket and pay your admission to see that guy play. That’s not a Hall of Famer anymore. Every Tom, Dick and Harry, you’re a Hall of Famer, you’re a Hall of Famer, you’re a Hall of Famer. They let everybody in this thing. It’s not exclusive anymore. And I don’t like it.”

Although Sanders didn’t want to name any specific players who he thinks have watered down the Hall of Fame, when Patrick asked him about Eli Manning, Sanders answered, “You get the point.”

Ultimately, Sanders says, there should be no minimum on the number of inductees per year and that it should be solely based on the worthiness of Canton.

“It should be based on, ‘Are you that guy?’ Not just because we have to meet a quota,” Sanders said.

Many believe Manning is that guy. Sanders clearly does not.

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Deion Sanders says Jameis Winston is the Bucs’ guy

With a huge decision looming for both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their starting quarterback Jameis Winston, whose rookie contract is expiring, the question has been does the team re-sign him or let him go? On GameDay Prime, Deion Sanders said that …

With a huge decision looming for both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their starting quarterback Jameis Winston, whose rookie contract is expiring, the question has been does the team re-sign him or let him go?

On GameDay Prime, Deion Sanders said that if the Buccaneers are in win now mode that Winston is their guy, and it will cost them some money to keep him, as it should. Sanders made reference to Winston’s turnovers and simply stated “you’ve gotta fix them.” If the Bucs want to take a step back, they can go after a quarterback in the draft, but Winston is the quarterback for the Buccaneers. With the 14th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and not a very deep quarterback class, several mock drafts are pointing to defense for the Bucs.

The season for Winston was filled with the ultimate highs, and the ultimate lows- as I call it, the Jameis Winston conudrum. Winston finished this season with 5,109 yards, 33 TD and 30 INT, becoming just the eighth player to break the 5,000 yard barrier in a single season. Will this be Winston’s last season as a Buccaneer? Only time will truly tell, however, the market is rather bleak on quarterbacks that are likely to be available.

Trevor Sikkema summed up Winston’s time as a Buccaneer perfectly.

There is no doubt that whatever the Buccaneers decide to do with Winston, it will be the biggest story of the offseason for the franchise.

Steven Sims Jr. says he felt like Deion Sanders during his 91-yard kick return TD

Sims Jr. high-stepped his way to the endzone after a 91-yard kick return on Sunday, which was a nod to his favorite player, Deion Sanders.

One of the few bright spots for the Washington Redskins this season has been Steven Sims Jr., an undrafted rookie out of Kansas who has made waves on the special teams this year.

Sims showed his unique abilities in Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions when he returned a kickoff 91-yards for a touchdown, high-stepping his way to the end zone and drawing comparisons to Deion Sanders. It just so happens that’s just what Sims was going for.

“People don’t know, but like my headband around my neck — I wear a headband around my neck — that’s from Deion Sanders,” Sims said, via The Athletic. “That’s one of my favorites, that’s my favorite athlete in football, Deion Sanders. I look up to him a lot, that’s why I had to hit the high step. I just felt like Deion.”

Sims now leads all kick returners with 666 return yards and is fifth in yards per return at 25.6. He also added a 65-yard reverse touchdown to his resume in Week 5 against the New England Patriots, the first of his career.

There are a lot more accomplishments that Sims needs to check off before he can truly be compared to ‘Prime Time,’ but Sunday’s electrifying return is a good start.

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