Deion Sanders joins Barstool Sports on heels of NFL Network departure
Prime Time has found a new home in the media.
Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders will join Barstool Sports to host his own podcast, "21st and Prime," the website announced Wednesday morning on its signature podcast, "Pardon My Take."
The hire gives Barstool Sports, a sports and pop culture blog founded by David Portnoy in 2003, its most high-profile hire to date. Sanders had appeared on "Pardon My Take" at the end of July.
"I had no idea when I went on with you guys last time that this would transpire so quickly,” Sanders said on the podcast Wednesday. He's also expected to be a regular "Pardon My Take" guest on Sunday nights during the NFL season.
The 53-year-old Sanders left NFL Network as one of its longest-tenured analysts after 14 years. The New York Post reported that Sanders declined to take a paycut when his contract expired. Details of his deal with Barstool were not disclosed.
Sanders played 14 seasons in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens and Washington and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. His 53 career interceptions are tied for 24th most in NFL history.
This summer Sanders had been criticized for making comments on Twitter that questioned players who have decided to opt out of the 2020 season due to coronavirus fears.
It was beginning to look as if Sanders' departure from NFL Network was signaling a move to a coaching career. Sanders has spoken publicly about his desire to get into coaching after serving as offensive coordinator of Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. In January, Sanders appeared on the "Dan Patrick Show" and said he would be a head coach in college football for the 2021 season.
