Falcons to induct Deion Sanders into Ring of Honor
Deion Sanders strutting his stuff during his time with the Falcons. He set to be inducted into the franchise's Ring of Honor.
FLOWERY BRANCH – Deion Sanders, the most entertaining and flamboyant player in team history, will be inducted into the Atlanta Falcons’ Ring of Honor.
Deion Sanders visited the team facilities with his youth football team this summer. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)
Sanders, nicknamed “Prime Time” for his style of play, was with the Falcons from 1989 to 1993 after being drafted No. 5 overall out of Florida State.
The Atlanta Falcons today announced that cornerback Deion Sanders is the latest inductee into the team’s prestigious Ring of Honor. Sanders was named the eighth member of this exclusive club by a vote of a local media selection committee.
Sanders said he was trying to convey a positive message with all of bling, but the message got lost.
The induction will take place at halftime of the nationally-televised Thursday night game between the Falcons and Ravens at the Georgia Dome on November 11.
“When I was dreaming as a kid, I couldn’t often times share those dreams because I thought they were so out of the box. Never would people think that a kid from Ft. Myers, Florida, who was small in stature, but big on confidence, would ever have his name recognized in a stadium in the only place he played in which he called home,” Sanders said. “I want to thank Falcons Owner Arthur Blank and the organization (ironically 21 years later from the year I was drafted) for making my dreams come true.”
Sanders is a first-year eligible candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2011. He is on the preliminary list of 113 modern-era candidates.
During his five seasons with the Falcons he established a new standard for the cover cornerback and was also an electrifying kickoff and punt returner.
Deion Sanders with the 49ers.
He had 24 interceptions over his Atlanta career even though teams elected to stay away from his side of the field. He averaged more than 20 yards each season on kickoff returns and returned three kickoffs and two punts for touchdown.
In 1994, Sanders signed as a free agent with San Francisco. He would go on to also play for Dallas, Washington and Baltimore during the outset of the free agency era. He played 14 seasons in the NFL and won Super Bowl rings with San Francisco and Dallas.
Sanders was selected to eight Pro Bowls, including in 1992 and 1993 as a member of the Falcons.
Tommy Nobis, Steve Bartkowski, William Andrews and Jessie Tuggle were in the first class of Ring of Honor inductees in 2004. Mike Kenn, Claude Humphrey and Jeff Van Note are also members of team’s Ring of Honor. Kenn and Humphrey were the last players to be inducted by the team in 2008.
The Falcons Ring of Honor was established to honor retired players who made significant contributions to the franchise during their
Sanders with the Dallas Cowboys.
playing careers.
“Deion Sanders is widely regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the 91-year history of the National Football League,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said. “He epitomized excellence on the playing field and was a tremendously gifted athlete who possessed great speed. Deion excelled as a defender, kick returner, punt returner and on offense on his way to establishing 12 club records.”
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332 comments Add your comment
Falcon Jim
October 22nd, 2010
4:30 pm
Da………….did you see William Andrews play?
Chucktown
October 22nd, 2010
4:33 pm
William Andrews is in the ring becouse he was a GREAT player who blew out both knees playing for the Falcons. He was a beast it alway took 3-4 player to tackle him.A great player for the Falcons
Falcon Jim
October 22nd, 2010
4:36 pm
Right Chuck. You can’t lack of longevity against a running back. He was THE most fun running back to watch.
Falcon Jim
October 22nd, 2010
4:37 pm
……meant to say “You can’t HOLD lack of……….”
Falcon Chris
October 22nd, 2010
4:37 pm
Just wish we would of played here the whole time..
HE WAS THE MAN !! Punt and kickoff returns ?? He would give Devon Hestor a run for his money ! This family that has had season tickets since 1967 says “Congrates Deion” See you there for your honor !!
SawThat1nce
October 22nd, 2010
4:41 pm
Deion Sanders is an A—Hole, that is why the Braves and the Falcons didn’t want him on their teams.
Sanders is the most over-rated athlete, ever.
michael
October 22nd, 2010
4:41 pm
Anyone who does not believe Deion Sanders does not belong in the Ring of Honor does not know anything about football. You simply do not understand the game.
Dr. S
October 22nd, 2010
4:41 pm
Congratulations Prime Time!!!
Barnes
October 22nd, 2010
4:42 pm
“Only 4 seasons as a Falcon, how can you possibly induct him into the Ring of Honor? ”
Using that logic, Gayle Sayers, Jim Brown, and Barry Sanders should not be honored by their teams.
The guy is a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Seeing that the Falcons just recently had two successive winning seasons, it’s a wonder that they even have a ring of honor. In all the years of futility, you “Falcons Fans” should be happy that there was one shining star on your team in the early nineties.
I guess you will never please some people.
Gwinnett Fred
October 22nd, 2010
4:48 pm
Whoever is in charge obviously blew it by not putting a minimum number of years a player had to be a Falcon (say
or play at least 80% of their career with the Falcons should that career be cut short due to injury.
I’m certainly not taking anything away from him and his achievements and contributions to the Falcons, but I agree with the multitude of folks that disagree someone with only 5 years with the team be so honored.
And to have the “local media” pick it is a joke. Those retards couldn’t pick their nose. You gonna tell me Sanders meant more to this franchise than the original Dirty Bird Jamaal Anderson? I don’t think so!
Da Analyst
October 22nd, 2010
4:50 pm
Falcon Jim …I sure did Andrews played for less years than Prime Time and he accomplished less than Prime Time. Williams Andrews is the not the best running back the Falcons have ever had, not even close in fact he was the blocking back . I am Da Analyst!!!!
Sir Nose
October 22nd, 2010
4:51 pm
Though Prime Time only played 5 seasons as a Falcon, statistically, he was the most productive Falcon ever. His role as a cover corner was to shutdown that side of the field on pass plays. He did that better than any other corner the Falcons have ever had and was one of the best to ever play the game.
Funny how most of his haters on here never played a sport at a high level and are just jealous of his success. Seems as though some people’s memories are blinded by their jealously….REMEMBER the Falcons did not make Deion a contract offer. Additionally, the organization was not building a championship caliber team at that time and in pro sports the only thing that matters is winning a championship (and making as much money as possible since it is a business).
Congrats Prime!!
Da Analyst
October 22nd, 2010
4:52 pm
Falcon Jim you must be a Auburn War Eagle supporter?
Da Analyst
October 22nd, 2010
4:57 pm
tech Fan …Scott Case is not goog enough for the OKC Sooners Hall Of Fame..Please dont compare him with Deion………………. I am Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Analyst.
Falcon Jim
October 22nd, 2010
4:59 pm
Da, never gave a damn about Auburn. You are entitled to your opinion. Blocking back?
Rushing Receiving Fumbles Total
Points
Rush Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD
1979 ATL 15 239 1,023 4.3 3 39 309 7.9 2 5 30
1980 ATL 16 265 1,308 4.9 4 51 456 8.9 1 6 30
1981 ATL 16 289 1,301 4.5 10 81 735 9.1 2 12 72
1982 ATL 9 139 573 4.1 5 42 503 12.0 2 1 42
1983 ATL 16 331 1,567 4.7 7 59 609 10.3 4 6 66
Yea, genius, all he did was block. JEEZ ! ! !
John
October 22nd, 2010
4:59 pm
“…You may insult my intelligence but remember I took more than a few knocks in the head for your beloved Turdy Birds so I sould get a pass. How dare you, you ungrateful bas-tard.”
Keith Brooking. Point taken. I’ll stand at the corner of North Avenue and Spring Street singin’ Ramblin’ Wreck (all five verses) and kiss the first homely coed that will let me – this part might take a while. I’m pretty homely myself.
Tom
October 22nd, 2010
4:59 pm
Miss ya Prime Time, wish you were still with the Falcons!
Gwinnett Fred
October 22nd, 2010
5:02 pm
Barnes:
WHAT A FRIGGING IDIOT!
Barry Sanders should not be honored by his team? WHAT??? Played every snap of his 9 year career with the Lions you fool.
Gayle Sayres should not be honored by his team? WHAT??? Played every snap of his 7 year career with the Bears you dolt.
Jim Brown should not be honored by his team? WHAT??? Played every snap of his 9 year career with the Browns you frigging idiot.
I apologize to anybody I’ve ever accused of being the stupidest SOB I ever met – because Barnes – you blow away the competition for that award (and are also too damn dumb to know it)
Sir Nose
October 22nd, 2010
5:08 pm
Get real people. This is the NFL!!! The beloved Falcons (Case, Andrews, Tuggle, Bartkowski, others) were not WINNERS!!! This is the problem with those “certain segments” commenting here, they worship losing players, and accepted losing as the norm. Ever notice ATL teams always have a hard time holding on to the championship caliber players (Sanders, Favre, Justice, Wilkins, Gant). It was this same group of “loosers” who wanted the Hawks to not resign Joe Johnson.
John
October 22nd, 2010
5:09 pm
OK Falcon Jim. First you call me pathetic (different blog) and then you insult my intelligence – hell, everybody’s intelligence by feeling the need to explain what “canonized” means. Thanks for that, actually. I thought it meant shot from a cannon.
But you did talk about my mother. For that you should be ashamed.
Gwinnett Fred
October 22nd, 2010
5:11 pm
Sir Nostrel
Just because a player’s team didn’t win, does not stop that player from being a “winner”.
I guess every POS .200 hitter in baseball that owns a World Series ring (can you say Darrel Chaney of the Reds?) is a winner too, huh?
Marino never won a title, guess he’s just another loser to you too, huh?
Falcon Jim
October 22nd, 2010
5:15 pm
John.
You are right.
I apologize.
F.J.
Sir Nose
October 22nd, 2010
5:21 pm
Hey Gwinnett Fred(neck),
Yes, though Marino is considered one of the best ever, he still never won a championship because of the players who made up the team….loser! Charles Barkley….loser.
Since you have no understanding of “team”, the role players ride the coat tails of the super star players who lead the team.
Prime Time changed the game!!!
Gwinnett Fred
October 22nd, 2010
5:25 pm
Nostrel (hair):
You obviously missed my post praising Sanders as one of the greats to play here, just not long enough to deserve a ROH spot.
Funny, you seem to be confusing individual honors with team honors. You say I don’t have an understanding of the word “team”, but then you turn around and say those not on a winning team aren’t winners.
Wake up – the Ring of Honor IS FOR INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS YOU IDIOT – not great teams in Falcons history.
Using your logic, no player should ever be elected into the HOF unless they played for a winner.
You are one mixed up individual. Go snort something Nostrel.
Gwinnett Fred
October 22nd, 2010
5:31 pm
THIS JUST IN:
It has been discovered that Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson never played in a Super Bowl.
Mr. Know It All Sir Nose has declared that this makes his inshrinement illegal and should be removed from Canton immediately!!!!
John
October 22nd, 2010
5:32 pm
FJ,
Just joking, dude. This is a sports blog after all. And if my mother was alive, she’d probably agree with everything you’ve said.
Gwinnett Fred
October 22nd, 2010
5:35 pm
BREAKING NEWS:
The discovery that Don Meredith never led the Cowboys to a Super Bowl in his 9 seasons with the team by Sir Nose has led to the Nostrel’s demand that he be removed from the Cowboy’s Ring of Honor since he obviously played with losers on those Dallas teams and all that shows is Dallas’s accepting of losing!
Falcon Jim
October 22nd, 2010
5:37 pm
John, I’ve had people on this blog say bad things about my late mother. At least I canonized yours!
Thanks ! ! !
tom
October 22nd, 2010
5:38 pm
what a joke this is. Neon Dion’s primary function at his position is to tackle opponents. He did this poorly every game. A tight end carried him into the end zone with Dion hanging on his shoulders. Got burned many times. Yes, he had some exciting interceptions with long run backs. He just does not have the performance level deserving of any award. HOF is a bigger joke. Not sure who was worse, him or MeAngelo.
Mike T.
October 22nd, 2010
5:41 pm
Eric Dickerson will probably be next.
Falcon Jim
October 22nd, 2010
5:48 pm
Yup. Dickerson played for the Falcons in 1993. Four games, 26 carries for 91yards.
kkong
October 22nd, 2010
6:07 pm
What a joke. Sanders mocked the Falcons after leaving. So, you want to honor him? Get real.
Brian in Villa Rica
October 22nd, 2010
6:20 pm
No other franchise would be this silly. Dallas won’t retire his number. Too few seasons and really made it a point to mock the Smith family when he left. I loved the guy. He played for the Braves and Falcons, how could I not? But this is a joke.
falconfan 24-7
October 22nd, 2010
6:22 pm
Big Mistake. He consider himself a Cowboy not a Falcon.
THE CURSE OF BRETT FAVRE LIVES IN ATL
October 22nd, 2010
6:32 pm
REDNECKS HATED ON DEION SANDERS AND MIKE VICK!
DEION HELPED THE BRAVES AND THE FALCANTS!
WHAT DID YOU HICKS DO? NOTHING!
Barnes
October 22nd, 2010
6:51 pm
Gwinnett Fred,
Wow, what clever name calling. Pretty juvenile, don’t ya think?
First, Barry Sanders was always unhappy with his current contract, and was forced into retirement because the Lions refused to trade him to a playoff-caliber team.
Second, Jim Brown was nothing but a malcontent his entire career in Cleveland.
Third, it seems to most on this blog that a player needs to be a choir boy who played with a single team at least a decade in order to be recognized for otherworldly play . Gayle Sayers did not.
So, again, using you and others’ logic, Deion Sanders and the aforementioned players should not be honored even though they played exceptionally?
Hollywould
October 22nd, 2010
6:56 pm
My favorite player when he was here. One of the best atheletes ever. That punt return on his first punt was fantastic and what made it so good was Larry Munson on the call. Go back and watch it a few times. Don’t think he should be getting this honor. Not here long enuf.
John
October 22nd, 2010
7:01 pm
Curse, is your personal value system so corrupt that all you can do is peck out all-caps rants against REDNECKS who are “hating on” (damn that’s a tiresome phrase – you got anything better than that Curse?) Deion Sanders?
And this HICK takes exception to your dismissing my life’s accomplishments. I never returned an interception for a touchdown, true enough. But to my credit, I never cheated on my wife and I never made a half-assed attempt at suicide while my wife and children waited at home for me. There’s the mark of a real man, huh? Deion’s havin’ a bad hair day, so he attempts to off himself. So much for fatherhood.
Entering the Falcons Ring of Honor ought to be about more than utilizing an abundance of God-given talent. You ought to have to shown respect for the organization and the fans. You ought to have displayed a modicum of dignity.
So next you’ll tell me how Deion’s a great guy because he doesn’t have a criminal record. The bar for evaluating manhood is mighty, mighty low.
Hell Curse, the more I think about it, you’re probably a 16 year old kid. You don’t know any-damned better yet. But you need better taste in heroes, and you should stop the name-calling.
DBCOOPER
October 22nd, 2010
7:03 pm
Lifelong Falcon fan !! 40+ years. I thought Deion was a great player. I don’t give a damn what anybody says he was the face of the franchise AND, he was a good player. You never heard about Deion being in some Strip club or some drug bust. Yeah he didn’t go to school at FSU so what!! Thats not a crime. Deion came to play tht’s the bottom line. Much more than most of the sorry ass Falcons we’ve had over the years. ESPECIALLY VICK!
Evan
October 22nd, 2010
7:10 pm
As a falcon fan for 40 years (i’m 40 …ha) , there’s a part of me that having Deion in the Ring of Honor just doesn’t sit well with me. He spent a better part of his career on other teams and left for the money among other things. Of course, the Falcons could have tried to spend more to keep him, but I think he was gone regardless. This seems to be all about having him be the first “original” Falcon in the Hall of Fame. I just wish it was a “true” Falcon like Claude, Bart, Nobis or Tuggle in the HoF. Players who spent the better part or all of their careers with the Birds. Still, I guess it will be good to at least have a Falcon Uni in the HoF finally. I don’t dislike Deion by the way. Just never felt he was really a Falcon – his time was so short.
Gwinnett Fred
October 22nd, 2010
7:11 pm
Barnes:
Nice job of totally changing the subject.
YOU SAID: Using the logic that he only played 4 seasons in Atlanta, using that same standard should keep Barry Sanders, Gayle Sayers & Jim Brown from being honored by their teams.
OK Dummy – in case you don’t have the brain cells to put 2 & 2 together, let me do it for you.
D.Sanders – Played for FIVE DIFFERENT teams
Brown, Sayers & B.Sanders – Played for ONE TEAM THEIR WHOLE CAREER
D.Sanders – Played 5 seasons for the Falcons and NINE for other teams
Brown, Sayers & B.Sanders – Combined to play 25 years for their ONE TEAM
Are you serious in trying to compare these examples of yours??
Do yourself a favor and just admit it was an absolute brainless thought on your part to even consider to compare Deion to Jim Brown, Gayle Sayers and Barry Sanders with respect to what they are due from their former teams with regards to being honored.
At least have the guts to admit you made a stupid statement and move on – only real imbeciles try to justify the unjustifiable.
JSS
October 22nd, 2010
7:14 pm
I love all of these people who just are unwilling to come to grips with how bad this franchise “was!” Even with the stabilization of the Vick and Ryan years; this franchise is still fighting with the Cardinals for worst winning percentage in the history of all of professional football history!!!
@ Gwinnett…
Sayer never carried the big load with the Bears, but he and Sanders are the two most electric RBs to ever play in the NFL. He could change the game with a step. He’s simple to understand, the Bears became Falcon like when he was not available. He averaged a TD a game in 1965. Again, he averaged a TD a game playing with the likes of Rudy Bukich for goodness sake!
All the rest of you need to chill, the Falcons did this to themselves, again! Deion is as deserved as any of the clowns that have played for such a impoverished franchise!!! Don’t you find it interesting that this team is always mocked by the ex players on field and in the media after they leave? Berry did it, Kunz did it, Humphrey did it, Riggs did it, Sanders did it, Rison did it, Whew, I could go on and on!!!
JSS
October 22nd, 2010
7:19 pm
Oh yeah, your god and savior: Steve Bartkowski was 55-w and 66 losses in Atlanta. He really elevated the winning percentage there!
PHILLY FAN IN TEMECULA CA
October 22nd, 2010
7:30 pm
YO BRAVES FAN NOW PHILLY FANS, FELT YOUR LOVE ROOTING 4 PHILLIES LAST NITE NOW WE ARE COMING HOME TO PHILLY FOR GAME 6 AND 7 KEEP THE LOVE COMING OUR WAY FOR BIG BROTHER PHILLIES, GO PHILLIES———-
A-Jax
October 22nd, 2010
7:31 pm
next year the writers will elect Jeff George and Jerry Glanville to the ring of honor.
John
October 22nd, 2010
7:32 pm
JSS,
Ain’t nobody in the current Ring who did diddly squat for the Falcons’ overall winning percentage (as you point out in your 7:14 post). This organization just enjoyed it’s first consecutive winning season in 44 years.
Still doesn’t diminish the valid objections to a guy who comported himself as poorly as Deion did being honored by a city and organization he basically shat on.
And what in the world has Deion done or said since his tenure in Atlanta to mend the fences he broke? Not a damned thing. He’s still as self-centered and clueless now as that day in 1989 when he got here. I hope he dresses better.
Bottom line, he’s in the Ring. Life goes on. Here’s one guy’s hope that there are more than a smattering of “boos” when he struts out to accept this most undeserved honor.
Honestly, I can’t believe he’s got the nerve to show up. What am I saying? We’re talking Deion Sanders here. Nerve has never been in short supply.
Falcon Jim
October 22nd, 2010
7:37 pm
John 7 : 14
Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having studied?”
John, I know you are smart, but common……………….
Classless Neon
October 22nd, 2010
7:38 pm
MLB catcher Carlton Fisk confronted Sanders during a game at Yankee Stadium when Sanders offended him by stepping up to the plate, drawing a dollar sign in the dirt before the pitch and then failing to run hard to first base after hitting a routine grounder. Fisk’s opinion was that Sanders was “playing the game the wrong way” and tarnished the game of baseball. The infamous incident was later recounted by Fisk on both ESPN Classic and a CNBC interview with Tim Russert on his show.
Eddie Long
October 22nd, 2010
7:40 pm
If Deion gets in I’m retiring.
Keith Redding
October 22nd, 2010
7:44 pm
As with alot of the fans I am hurt with this selection, yes Deion was a great player, one of the best cover corners and returners the league has ever seen. that said, 1st he played 4 yrs before bolting to the 49ers, I do not begruge him wanting to play for a winner, the Smith family never was consistent with there management, however, Primetime, told the AJC, and the national news media at the time, that he would allow the Falcons to match any offer, then in the middle of the night he took off for the sunny 49ers, If he wanted to play for a SB contender thats fine, again the smiths…. enough said. but don’t tell your team and fans you’ll stay and then sneak out in the middle of the night. I respect the player, I repect his game, I don’t respect the way he treated the fans and the team, in tell me why he belongs in the “Ring of Honor”" I just don’t see it, I feel for mister blank trying to build a winning tradtiion here, but this really hurts, many more derserving individuals for this honor