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Deion Sanders Shoe Style Through the Years [PHOTOS]
In 2023, Deion Sanders, along with Allen Iverson and Derek Jeter, were the first trio of athletes to be inducted into The GQ Sports Style Hall of Fame—and for good reason. Sanders has been the definition of flashy and cool, bringing a blend of flyness, style and confidence that had yet to be seen in the NFL. From the dollar sign earrings the football star wore during Draft Day in 1989 to his own signature Nike sneaker in 1993, Sanders' influence on football expanded way beyond the field. His sense of style also shined through during games and inspired other players, while his penchant for sparkling jewelry—from stacked gold chains and bracelets to diamond rings—was passed down across the league and continues to be on full display with present day athletes.
Sanders played in the NFL for 14 seasons, as well as an additional nine seasons of Major League Baseball with several teams. He won two Super Bowl titles and made one World Series appearance in 1992, making him the only athlete to play in a Super Bowl and a World Series. When he was playing both football and baseball for the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves in 1992, Sanders also signed his first contract with Nike. He released his first signature sneaker—the Air Diamond Turf—the following year. The sneakers and cleats continue to be fan favorites and lauded as one of the best as far as design and style among athletes. He parted ways with Nike at one point and signed with Under Armour in 2009, before reuniting with Nike in 2023 when he became the University of Colorado's football head coach.
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Now as Coach Prime, his style is a tad more subdued and his fashion choices have matured over the years. Yet he still carries a sense of flair, coolness and sophistication, and that same confidence that made him an overnight star all those years ago. Now that his son Shedeur Sanders has been drafted into the NFL, all eyes are on the Sanders family. Take a look back at some of Sanders' best red carpet moments, his best designer footwear choices and some of his most standout coaching looks over the years.
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Shedeur Sanders, Deion Sanders, Deion Sanders Jr. at the 14th Annual NFL Honors held at Saenger Theatre on February 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Tracey Edmonds and Deion Sanders attend the 12th annual NFL Honors at Symphony Hall on Feb. 09, 2023 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches action on the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2024 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 28: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes looks on from the sideline during a game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Jackson State Tigers coach Deion Sanders watches from the sideline area during the first quarter of the college football Cricket Celebration Bowl between the North Carolina Central Eagles and Jackson State Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Dec. 17, 2022.
Deion Sanders head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes arrives for their game against the Utah Utes at Rice Eccles Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Deion Sanders (2nd from L) at the 13th Annual NFL Honors held at Resorts World Theatre on February 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Honorees Derek Jeter, Allen Iverson, and Deion Sanders attend the Inaugural GQ Sports Style Hall of Fame event hosted by GQ and honoring Deion Sanders, Allen Iverson and Derek Jeter at The Clayton House on February 11, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 02: Deion Sanders attends a special screening of Netflix's 'Coach Snoop: Season 1' at Saint Anthony Main Theatre on February 2, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo byfor Netflix)
Coach Prime Season 2 Deion Sanders, Peggy Coppom
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – FEBRUARY 05: TV personality/retired NFL player Deion Sanders walks the Blue Carpet at the 2015 Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award Ceremony at Pepsi Super Friday Night at Pier 70 on February 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California.
Deion Sanders
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 28: Professional football player Deion Sanders attends the AOL 2015 Newfront on April 28, 2015 in New York City.
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 04: Deion Sanders attends the Pepsi NFL Anthems Kickoff Eve – Blue Carpet Arrivals at Hard Rock Cafe, Times Square on September 4, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – MAY 12: Former football player Deion Sanders and his wife Pilar arrive for the NBC Universal Experience at Rockefeller Center as part of upfront week on May 12, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by)
LAS VEGAS – FEBRUARY 18: Deion Sanders (R) and his wife Pilar arrive at the 2007 NBA All-Star Game at the Thomas & Mack Center on February 18, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by)
WESTWOOD, CA – JULY 15: NFL Football player Deion Sanders (L) and former NFL player Michael Irvin attend the world premiere of 'K-19: The Widowmaker' at the Mann Village & Bruin Theatres on July 15, 2002 in Westwood, California. The film opens nationwide in theaters on Friday July 19, 2002. (Photo by)
MIAMI, FL- JANUARY 29: Deion Sanders #21 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the San Diego Chargers during Super Bowl XXIX on January 29, 1995 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Niners won the Super Bowl 49-26. (Photo by Focus) *** Local Caption *** Deion Sanders
