Deion Sanders Is an Inspiration for Every Athlete—Including LeBron James

The three-time Sportsperson of the Year has been deeply affected by Sanders both inside and outside of athletics.

My earliest memories of watching sports start with Deion Sanders. I can still see the way he looked. The way he walked. The way his swag just came right through the TV screen. Everything about him was super cool to me. I was in awe of his ability, his style, his drive, all of it. And the way he approached the game on and off the field is something that sticks with me to this day.

Prime Time is the one who taught me: “Look good, feel good. Feel good, play good. Play good, they pay good.” I still lay my uniform out on the floor and take a look at it before I put it on. I got that from Deion. He always looked good on the field—and he didn’t just talk about it, he was about it. It was amazing to watch.

Fast-forward a few years and a few kids later for us both, and it’s still amazing for me to watch Prime do his thing as a father. As parents, we give undivided and unconditional love and support to our kids. At the same time, we hold them accountable. We want them to be as great as they can be. We want them to be unbelievable in the sport they’re playing or whatever it is they’re doing. But more importantly, we want them to be unbelievable young men and women. And that starts at home.

James and Sanders share a loving yet tough style of parenting.

Jeffery A. Salter/Sports Illustrated

You give respect, you get respect. That’s something Coach Prime and I continue to relate on.

And doing it all under those bright lights is nothing new to him. Prime Time’s been in the spotlight since the day he stepped foot on campus at FSU. There’s nothing he hasn’t seen. It’s been great to see how he handles it all, and now we get to watch him give the blueprint to his kids so they can build a legacy of their own.

Order the SI 2023 Sportsperson of the Year issue here.

Deion’s legacy in football is cemented. Everything else at this point is extra credit. Give him a little time leading the program in Colorado, and he’ll get it locked in. He is one of those guys—he’s one of one.

Prime is doing what he’s called to do, and that’s on and off the field.