Classic SI Photos of Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders was a one-of-a-kind talent, possibly the greatest cornerback in NFL history and a terrific showman. He dominated the game on defense and special teams, scoring touchdowns as a kick returner, punt returner, cornerback and even as a wide receiver. You could make the argument that Sanders was the greatest pure athlete ever to play pro football — he is the only player to ever score an NFL touchdown and hit a home run in a Major League Baseball game in the same week, a feat he accomplished in 1989. Not that it impacts his football accolades at all, but Sanders' baseball career spanned 1989-97, with a brief return in 2001. In celebration of his 49th birthday on Aug. 9, 2016, we present 21 classic SI photos of No. 21 — nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion​" — through the years.

Classic SI Photos of Deion Sanders

John D. Hanlon

Florida State's Deion Sanders deflects a pass intended for Michigan's Greg McMurtry on Sept. 27, 1986 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Heinz Kluetmeier

Deion Sanders poses in the locker room of the New York Yankees Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers, on June 22, 1989 in Columbus, Ohio.

Heinz Kluetmeier

Deion Sanders holds a football and baseball bat during a photo shoot on June 23, 1989 in Columbus, Ohio.

Heinz Kluetmeier

Deion Sanders poses during a photo shoot on June 23, 1989 in Columbus, Ohio.

Heinz Kluetmeier

Deion Sanders poses during a photo shoot on June 23, 1989 in Columbus, Ohio.

Damian Strohmeyer

Deion Sanders returns an interception during the Atlanta Falcons game against the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 1, 1989 at County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisc.

Lee Crum

Deion Sanders appears on the Nov. 13, 1989 cover of Sports Illustrated.

V.J. Lovero; Jim Gund

Deion Sanders appears on the Aug. 24, 1992 cover of Sports Illustrated.

V.J. Lovero

Deion Sanders gets caught in a rundown between Kelly Gruber and Manny Lee during Game 3 of the World Series between the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays on Oct. 20, 1992 at the SkyDome in Toronto.

Richard Mackson

Deion Sanders intercepts a pass during Super Bowl XXIX between the San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers on Jan. 29, 1995 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami.

Bill Frakes

Deion Sanders sits alongside his then-wife Carolyn Chambers and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones during a press conference announcing his signing with the team on Sept. 12, 1995 in Dallas.

George Lange

Deion Sanders appears on the Oct. 9, 1995 cover of Sports Illustrated.

Peter Read Miller

Deion Sanders intercepts a pass intended for Raghib Ismail during the Dallas Cowboys game against the Oakland Raiders on Nov. 19, 1995 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

Robert Beck

Deion Sanders walks off the field without his helmet during Super Bowl XXX between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 28, 1996 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

John Biever

Deion Sanders and Larry Brown celebrate as they are surrounded by media following Super Bowl XXX between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 28, 1996 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

Chuck Solomon

Deion Sanders slides into third base during the Cincinnati Reds game against the New York Mets on April 23, 1997 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, N.Y.

Al Tielemans

Deion Sanders appears on the May 26, 1997 cover of Sports Illustrated.

Al Tielemans

Deion Sanders runs with the ball as Je'Rod Cherry grabs his uniform during the Washington Redskins game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 8, 2000 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.

Bob Rosato

Deion Sanders looks on during the Baltimore Ravens game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 11, 2005 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

David Bergman

Deion Sanders points alongside Lawrence Taylor during the NFL Draft on April 22, 2010 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

David Bergman

Deion Sanders interviews Dallas Cowboys OT and No. 9 overall pick Tyron Smith during the NFL Draft on April 28, 2011 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.