Deion Sanders guided to salvation by a powerful man

Coach Prime was led to a better life through near-tragic circumstances

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Life in Ohio wasn't glamorous for Deion Sanders.

For two years starting in 1994, the multi-sport superstar was a part of the Cincinnati Reds lineup and was traveling to the Bay Area for 49ers games. It was a rough transition in Prime's life while carrying a deep-seeded depression that came with suicidal thoughts. The whole ordeal nearly took his life.

Sanders said in his autobiography that he tried to kill himself by driving his car off a 40-foot cliff in Cincinnati. He recalled the incident and said he escaped the fall without serious injuries. It took him hitting rock bottom to realize how damaged he was. Prime credits Pastor David Forbes from Columbus Christian Center for shedding light during his period of darkness. An act that saved his life and turned his mindset around for the better.

“I was going through the trials and tribulations of life," Sanders said. "I was pretty much running on fumes. I was empty, no peace, no joy. Losing hope with the progression of everything.”

Forbes recently visited Sanders in Boulder to check in and see how his coaching journey was going at CU. The man of faith talked to Thee Pregame Show about Prime's progress through the years and how instrumental fellowship has been on his walk.

"The Lord did it because of what he wanted to do for Deion," Forbes said. He just threw that in for us and it is a blessing, but to be a person that helped disciple Deion to help to introduce him to the Lord, that's a blessing in my life nobody ever can take it away."

Sanders' past struggles came with a silver lining after returning to Ohio to be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. A full-circle moment in his illustrious career.