How Green Bay Missed Out on Deion Sanders—And Why He Never Looked Back!

Deion Sanders, the dynamic and charismatic head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, is one of the most talked-about figures in sports today. From his dominance on the field as a defensive back to his current success as a college football coach, Sanders’ journey has been nothing short of legendary. However, not every NFL team saw his full potential when it mattered most.

One of the most intriguing “what-ifs” of NFL history revolves around the Green Bay Packers and their decision not to draft Sanders in the 1989 NFL Draft. Sanders, who went on to become one of the best defensive players in NFL history, recently opened up about the bold warning he gave to the Packers and why he was adamant about never playing for the storied franchise.

In a recent conversation with students at the University of Colorado, Sanders reminisced about his draft experience and his interactions with the Packers. Despite being one of the top prospects in that year’s draft, Sanders made it clear to Green Bay that he wasn’t interested in playing there, no matter how high they picked.

“I was not going to Green Bay,” Sanders stated bluntly. “They had the second pick. Do not draft me. I promise you, I’m not going to Green Bay. It’s freezing. I’m a Black man. You know how we are. I’m not doing that, okay?”

At the time, Sanders had a clear vision for his career, and it didn’t involve braving the cold Wisconsin winters. His decision to make that bold declaration to the Packers led to one of the most significant draft decisions in NFL history. Instead of selecting Sanders, Green Bay opted to pick offensive lineman Tony Mandarich, who was considered a top talent at the time but would go on to have a disappointing career in the NFL.

Meanwhile, Sanders found his future with the Atlanta Falcons, who selected him with the No. 5 overall pick. From there, the rest became history. Sanders went on to have an illustrious 14-year career in the NFL, playing for several teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, and Baltimore Ravens. Over the course of his career, Sanders earned countless accolades, including eight Pro Bowl selections, two Super Bowl championships, and recognition as one of the best cornerbacks to ever play the game.

His impressive stats include 296 tackles, five forced fumbles, 53 interceptions, nine defensive touchdowns, and 94 defended passes in 188 career games. His playmaking ability on the field earned him the nickname “Prime Time,” and his larger-than-life personality turned him into a fan favorite wherever he played.

As for Green Bay, the missed opportunity to draft Sanders remains a topic of conversation among Packers fans and NFL historians alike. Imagine how different the Packers’ defense could have been with a player of Sanders’ caliber in their secondary. But Sanders, who never regretted his decision, has made it clear that his path was always meant to be his own—one where he carved out his legacy on his terms.

Now, as Coach Prime, Sanders continues to reshape the future of college football, teaching the next generation of players to be just as bold and unapologetic as he was when he turned down Green Bay. And while the Packers may have missed out on one of the game’s greatest, Sanders never looked back—he forged his own legendary path and now shares his wisdom with young athletes eager to follow in his footsteps.