Royals scout shares crazy story of how team missed out on Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders never played a single game for the Kansas City Royals despite originally being drafted by them in 1985, and now it is being revealed that the backstory actually went a little deeper.

Houston Astros broadcaster Robert Ford shared a crazy story this week from legendary Royals scout Art Stewart, who was Kansas City’s scouting director at that time. Stewart said that the Royals, who selected Sanders in the sixth round of the 1985 draft, had a verbal agreement with Sanders to sign him out of high school. Stewart assigned a scout to get Sanders to sign that evening but the scout was afraid to go to Sanders’ neighborhood at night and went the next day instead. By then however, it was too late as Florida State had already gotten to Sanders. Ford adds that Stewart was furious and fired the scout.

Sanders went on to play at Florida State for four years, becoming a two-time All-American at football while also competing in baseball and track as well. He was then drafted by and signed with the New York Yankees in 1988 before the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons drafted him as well the very next year, making him one of history’s great multi-sport athletes.

Sanders himself recently said he wished he devoted more time to baseball, and it really makes you wonder how differently his career would have turned out had the Royals scout just shown up on time and signed him as a teenager.

Deion Sanders clarifies stance on Todd Gurley wearing No. 21

No, Deion Sanders does not actually have a problem with Todd Gurley wearing No. 21 with the Atlanta Falcons.

Gurley had said in an interview that Sanders warned against wearing the number, but Gurley opted to take it anyway. When one fan said on Twitter that it seemed the Falcons were trying to erase Sanders’ legacy, the man himself stepped in to clarify that he was joking and had no issue with Gurley taking the number.

Thank u for your love but it ain’t that deep to me. I was joking with @TG3II I love that youngsta and proud that he will represent it right. I love these kids that play today and wish them all well. “A NUMBER DIDN’T MAKE PRIME PRIME MADE THE NUMBER. #Truth Man they have a DEION https://t.co/nn2ZN4HvYs

— Deion Sanders (@DeionSanders) April 12, 2020

It’s easy to see how this turned into a controversy, and it’s good that Sanders is putting it to rest. Gurley likely sees it as a way to honor Sanders, and Sanders doesn’t have a problem with it after all.

Deion Sanders warned Todd Gurley not to wear No. 21 with Falcons

Todd Gurley has a new uniform number with the Atlanta Falcons, and he’s doing it over the objections of a franchise icon.

Gurley said he would wear No. 21 for the Falcons in 2020. That’s the same number Deion Sanders wore during his tenure in Atlanta, and Gurley said he’s taking the number over Sanders’ objections.

“Prime was hatin’ on me. He told me don’t wear it,” Gurley told The Midday Show with Andy and Randy on Atlanta’s 92.9 The Game. “If I was Prime, I wouldn’t want nobody be wearing my number either.”

Deion is an icon, and Gurley knows it. The number is there to be taken, though, and isn’t exclusive to Sanders. It may just be Gurley’s way of paying homage to the two-sport star.

Sanders can at least look on the bright side. He definitely has more cool jackets than Gurley does.

Deion Sanders wishes he would have put more time into baseball

Deion Sanders was one of the greatest two-sport athletes in recent history, but he wishes that at least one part of his career went differently.

During a Twitter Q&A on Tuesday, Sanders was asked if he had any regrets as a professional and said that he wished he had put more time into baseball.

#15 many as far as my personal life goes and I would’ve put more time into BASEBALL @MLB https://t.co/2y8oBjIjOz

— Deion Sanders (@DeionSanders) April 7, 2020

Sanders, of course, enjoyed an illustrious NFL career with eight Pro Bowl selections and two Super Bowl rings as a cornerback and return specialist. He also had a part-time career in Major League Baseball, playing when football was out of season and hitting .262 with 186 stolen bases in nine total seasons.

While Sanders is now involved with a different league, he only played 100 games in a season once as an MLBer, creating a somewhat interesting what-if.

Video: Deion Sanders flexed so hard on Instagram with his exclusive jackets

Deion Sanders flexed hard on Instagram Tuesday by showing off his impressive collection of exclusive jackets.

Sanders is already a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. He also was recently named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

On Sunday, those who were included in the NFL 100 All-Time Team wore special red jackets at Hard Rock Stadium, where they were recognized and honored prior to the Super Bowl.

Two days later, Prime boasted on Instagram about his collection of jackets.

View this post on Instagram

I got 3 Jackets that you can’t buy!! I played the game to make sure my mama @mommaconnie21 never had to work again in her life. I had no idea that 3 jackets came with that type of focus drive,consistency,passion,performance,dominance and Sacrifice. God is Amazing!! #Truth @nfl @nflnetwork #239 #CollegefootaballHOF @nflHof #Nfl100 @smac_entertainment @conschwartz. Don’t ALLOW MY CONFIDENCE TO OFFEND YOUR INSECURITIES! I’m PRIME!

A post shared by PRIME (@deionsanders) on Feb 4, 2020 at 8:54am PST

That is a truly impressive collection.

But if Prime were as cool as he thinks he is, he’d go out and win the Masters to add a green jacket and really complete the rainbow.

The jackets would surely come in handy when Sanders shows up to a recruit’s house; Deion says he will be a college head coach soon.

Deion Sanders says he will be head coach of college team in 2021

Deion Sanders was linked to the Florida State head coaching job a couple of months ago via an unconfirmed rumor, but there was never any indication that he was an actual candidate for the job. However, the Hall of Famer says it is “definite” that he will be a head coach at the college level roughly a year from now.

In an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” Tuesday morning, Sanders said it is a certainty that he will be a college head coach in 2021. He also claimed he had an interview with Florida State and another school, though he would not specify which.

Deion Sanders on the Dan Patrick Show: "I'm going to be a head coach in college football next year. That's definite."

Said he had interviews with Florida State and a "second school" this offseason.

— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 28, 2020

Sanders made similar remarks about coaching at the college level when responding to the original Florida State rumors, though he did not express confidence that a coaching opportunity will present itself next year. He also denied having spoken with anyone from the Seminoles at the time, so it’s unclear when the supposed interview with FSU would have taken place.

It’s not hard to believe Sanders wants to land a college head coaching job, but saying he has spoken with teams could be his way of trying to boost his own stock. If other teams believe he was a candidate for the Florida State job and interviewed with another program, they may believe “Prime Time” is a hot coaching commodity.

Of course, Sanders has some red flags surrounding him. He was fired over an assault claim from his job as a coach at Prime Prep Academy, which is the school he founded. The school later closed due to financial mismanagement after Sanders had been fired a second time.

Sanders could definitely help a team with buzz and recruiting, but it seems more likely that he would land an assistant coaching job first and have to work his way up.

Deion Sanders opens door to coaching at ‘next level’

Deion Sanders was surprisingly linked to the Florida State head coaching job late last week, and while it’s still not looking likely he lands that job, he’s certainly ready to find a position he likes.

Sanders made clear Sunday on NFL Network that he’s ready to coach in college, though he has no experience at that level.

“I have not spoken to anyone from Florida State regarding this,” Sanders said, via Sam Hellman of 247 Sports. “But let me assure you, I am 100 percent, 100 percent desiring to coach at the next level and I will.”

Sanders is affirming he has not spoken to Florida State about their open coaching job. This certainly makes it sounds like it hasn’t been because of a lack of interest. Given the support he’s received, maybe some sschool could look his way and add some instant excitement and credibility to their program. Whether that turns out to be Florida State remains to be seen.