Deion Sanders blasts 'fan' who criticized his take, doesn't realize who he's talking to
“You never played the game.”
It’s the athlete’s ultimate trump card to shut down a non-athlete who questions him in a sports debate.
But the athlete would be wise to be sure he’s right before he plays it.
In a recent episode of his NFL Network show “21st and Prime,” Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders was effusive in his praise for then-free agent safety Tyrann Mathieu.
“Honey Badger is the best safety in the game to me,” Sanders declared. “He really is. He has all the intangibles. And it’s not too many safeties that can come down and handle the slot receiver in our game today. He can tackle in the box. He can play the middle of the field. He can even get out there on the corner if need be.
“I love this guy and all his attributes. He is the guy.”
.@DeionSanders is a big fan of the @HoustonTexans' latest DB addition 👀
📺: 21st & Prime pic.twitter.com/yodMhTJ9hF
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 20, 2018
Not everyone, however, agreed with his assessment.
A Twitter user asked how Sanders could overlook the top two safeties on the Associated Press All-Pro first team.
How do you make this statement and not include the two first team AP All Pro safeties?? 🤔 @DeionSanders #INeedAnswers https://t.co/HzRaV3h85g
— Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) March 20, 2018
The question, in fact, came from one of the safeties on the Associated Press All-Pro first team — the Tennessee Titans’ Kevin Byard.
Sanders apparently didn’t recognize the name.
“You’re looking at who writers tell u who’s the best I know who players and former players feel is the best,” he tweeted. “I rest my case.
“You continue to be a fan and i will continue being the man.”
You're looking at who writers tell u who's the best I know who players and former players feel is the best. I rest my case. You continue to be a fan and i will continue being the man. #Truth https://t.co/gnpwJHjxEK
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) March 20, 2018
Byard tied for the NFL lead in interceptions last season with eight. In addition to the All-Pro nod, the second-year man was named to his first Pro Bowl.
He isn’t exactly a household name, but Byard certainly should be familiar to an NFL Network analyst and DB expert like Sanders.
Twitter users unleashed on “Primetime.”
Is someone going to tell Deion that’s not a “fan” he’s responding to?
— Matthew Schnitzer (@MattyIce0830) March 20, 2018
Not a good look Prime. You an NFL analyst? @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/3voQFUW0LV
— Bryan Geralds (@BryanGeralds) March 20, 2018
Did you realize this is KB and not a fan?! You better apologize!
— KB for mayor. (@SportsRadio605) March 20, 2018
There’s no word yet on whether Sanders backpedaled on his remark and apologized to the “fan.”
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