Deion Sanders’ Pushback on Todd Gurley Wearing No. 21 Was a Joke

Recently signing with the Atlanta Falcons, Todd Gurley announced he would be changing numbers to No. 21. But that didn’t sit well with one former Falcons player, Deion Sanders—or so we thought. Turns out Sanders was only joking and proud that Gurley will represent it right.

Former Rams running back Todd Gurley is changing more than teams. Recently signing with the Atlanta Falcons, Gurley announced he would be changing numbers too—from No. 30 to No. 21.

Apparently, that didn’t sit well with one former Falcons player, Deion Sanders, also known as Prime Time, who played for the Falcons from 1989-1993.

In a radio interview with 92.9 The Game, Gurley said Sanders called him before he made his announcement official, saying “Prime was hating on me. He told me don’t wear it.” He added, “If I was Prime, I wouldn’t want nobody by wearing my number either.”

While sports newsmakers reported the kerfuffle, it turns out there was no issue at all. Tweeting earlier today about the exchange, Sanders characterized their conversation as “a joke.”

“It ain’t that deep to me. I was joking with @TG3II. I love that youngsta and proud that he will represent it right.”

He followed it up with a stronger point, just in case anyone missed it: “A NUMBER DIDN’T MAKE PRIME, PRIME MADE THE NUMBER.”

Sanders loves the "kids" that play today and wishes them all well.

Sanders wasn’t the last player to don No. 21 on his jersey since he left the franchise. Desmond Trufant wore it for the last seven years until his release from the team this offseason.

The Atlanta Falcons don’t retire numbers, although they do pay tribute to players like Sanders in their Falcons Ring of Honor.