The 30 for 30 documentary on Deion Sanders called “Deion’s Double Play” was terrific. It took me back to when I was a kid and how I was fascinated about Deion Sanders playing Major League Baseball and Football in pros. In this piece, I will look at three players I remember as a kid playing two sports in Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders, and Brian Jordan.
Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson was drafted first overall in the 1986 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but refused to play for them. In that same year, he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the fourth round of the baseball amateur draft. In the 1987 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Raiders took Bo Jackson in the seventh round. Jackson would play all of the baseball season then would join the Raiders once baseball ended. Bo is the only athlete ever to be an NFL Pro Bowler and MLB All-Star. In baseball and football, Bo had speed and power. It was crazy that somebody his size could be so fast. He would run you over and could run by you.
I am Raiders fan and was seven years old in the playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals when Jackson got hurt; I cried like a baby. Bo played four years with the Raiders from 1987 to 1990; he rushed for 2,782 yards and 16 touchdowns in just 38 games. In baseball, Jackson played eight years and hit 141 home runs with the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and California Angels.
I always wonder how good Bo could have been if he stuck with either baseball or football full-time. In the NFL, he could have been the best running back of all-time with his size, power, and speed.
Deion Sanders
Primetime is the best cover corner to play the game. He was not a bad baseball player either. Sanders totaled 53 interceptions during his Hall of Fame career with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins. Deion would also lineup at receiver and make plays there too in addition to being a punt returner.
On the baseball diamond, Deion was a speedy outfielder and could steal bases. In 1997 with the Reds, Deion stole a career high 56 bases. He ended his career with 186 stolen bases and 558 hits. Deion is the only athlete to play in the World Series and Super Bowl. He played nine seasons with the Yankees, Braves, Reds, and Giants.
We all know Deion was the best at what he does on the football field; that’s why he has a gold Hall Of Fame jacket. If he played baseball full-time, he might have been an all-star.
Brian Jordan
Most people don’t remember Brian Jordan being a two sports star. He was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 1988 MLB Draft and drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 1989 NFL Draft. Jordan was cut before his first season by the BIlls, but picked up by the Falcons soon after. He would play baseball in the minors, then go play football as a safety once the NFL season started. Jordan only played three seasons with the Falcons, making the Pro Bowl alternate in his last year. He was also the teammate of another two sports star, Deion Sanders.
In 1992, Jordan switched to baseball full-time. He played 15 more years from 1992-2006 with the Cardinals, Braves, Dodgers, and Rangers. Jordan made one all-star team in 1999 and totaled 1,454 hits and 184 home runs. If Jordan had stuck to football, he could have made multiple Pro Bowls. He was coming into his own before he left football.
Lamarr Fields is a Contributor for the Unwrapped Sports Network website. Follow him @raiderway83 on Twitter.