Dallas Cowboys: 30 greatest players in franchise history
17. player. 123. . Cornerback. (1995-1999). Deion Sanders
Despite only playing for the Dallas Cowboys for five years, cornerback Deion Sanders is still relatively high on this list. And here’s why …
By many, Sanders is considered the greatest cornerback of all-time. Let that sink in. In the history of football, there are only a handful of players believed to be as talented as “Primetime”.
Sanders was a first-round selection out of Florida State in the 1989 NFL Draft. He famously played his first five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, where he established himself as a shutdown defender and electric return specialist.
He then signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers, helping them win a Super Bowl in 1994 and denying the Cowboys a shot at three straight championships.
The one-year 49er was also named NFL Defensive Player of the Year that season after he recorded six interceptions and three defensive touchdowns.
In 1995, Sanders signed a massive seven-year, $35 million contract to join the Cowboys. That same season, Deion would help Dallas secure its third Super Bowl victory in four years.
During his five-year tenure with the Cowboys, Sanders would be voted to the Pro Bowl and named a first-team All-Pro four times each. He ended his 14-year career as a two-time Super Bowl champion, an eight-time Pro Bowler, and an eight-time first-team All-Pro. Sanders was named to the NFL’s 1990’s All-Decade team and elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.