Todd Gurley: Deion Sanders told me not to wear No. 21

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In Todd Gurley‘s first media session since agreeing to a contract with the Falcons, he announced that he’d be wearing No. 21 in Atlanta after wearing No. 30 during his time with the Rams.

Before making that announcement, Gurley heard from a former No. 21 with the Falcons. Gurley said in a Friday interview on 92.9 The Game that Deion Sanders reached out in an attempt to keep Gurley from donning those digits.

“Prime was hating on me. He told me don’t wear it. . . . If I was Prime, I wouldn’t want nobody be wearing my number either,” Gurley said.

While Sanders might be the person most closely associated with the number in Falcons history, it isn’t like Gurley’s taking the number out of mothballs. Desmond Trufant for the last seven years and the number has also been worn by Eric Metcalf, Elijah Williams, Darrien Gordon, Juran Bolden, DeAngelo Hall and Chris Owens since Sanders departed Atlanta after the 1993 season.

37 responses to “Todd Gurley: Deion Sanders told me not to wear No. 21

  1. Only if he pay’s for it. Oh forgot he’s waiting on money from Kroenke. Funny the Rams have said nothing about when payment will be released.

  2. While Sanders might be the person most closely associated with the number in Falcons history, it isn’t like Gurley’s taking the number out of mothballs. Desmond Trufant for the last seven years and the number has also been worn by Eric Metcalf, Elijah Williams, Darrien Gordon, Juran Bolden, DeAngelo Hall and Chris Owens since Sanders departed Atlanta after the 1993 season.

    Which makes me question the story told by Gurley. I could see Deion saying this in jest maybe, but it smells like Gurley is making this into something that it isn’t.

  3. I’m sure whatever Deion was saying was for Gurley’s own good. Deion is the best DB in NFL history, and probably the greatest overall athlete I’ve seen in my lifetime. An NFL HOFer and a MLB All-Star. Super bowl winner. No doubt could have been an NBA All Star too. Deion is a good dude. His heart is always smiling.

  4. My question is why does Gurley even want to wear that number? Gurley has the opportunity ti wear several numbers that won’t necessarily be attached to a “team legend”.

  5. If the number isn’t retired by the franchise, it’s fair game. This confirms what everyone already knew. Sanders is about Sanders. Always and forever.

  6. Ohh. So because Deon said it, it must be law. If the falcons didn’t retire the number, it’s fair game. Kiss off Deon!

  7. In spite of what his giant ego might lead him to believe, most current NFL fans barely remember his time in Atlanta. Most remember him in a Cowboys or Niners uniform.

  8. Oh look at the kids on here that never seen Sanders play saying he did not play well for Atlanta, he played like a HOFer. you might not like him dictating to Gurley, but at least know what you are talking about.

  9. Prime Time the greatest DB of all time. I needed a good laugh during this pandemic, thank you!

    Wonder how Night Train, Ronnie Lott, or Ed Reed feel about that nonsensical comment?

  10. Dude only played 5 of his 14 seasons in ATL. Didn’t put them over the top. Also picked against us in the super bowl. Much like Tony Gonzalez questioning Matt Ryan’s talent, Prime lost our respect after doubting us — regardless of the result.

    Prime and TG can both take a hike and pretend to be connected with the other organizations they played for.

  11. Nobody has retired 21 fir Sanders becuase Sanders was a mercenary… Greatest cover corner I’ve ever seen- but a mercenary.

  12. I have a autographed and framed Deion Sanders #21 Falcons jersey if anyone is interested in purchasing it.

    I don’t display much sports memorabilia that isn’t Packers, Badgers, Brewers, Bucks related in the Music/Sports cave.

    Some decent stuff I have in storage and this article reminded of the framed Deion #21 jersey I have.

  13. I can’t stand him but of all the things you could rightfully call him, overrated isn’t one of them.

  14. I can see why a lot of people don’t like Sanders. He’s full of himself. But you know what, he’s one of the few players that was able to backup his bragging.

    In Baseball, Sanders went to the World Series with the Braves. In four games of the 1992 World Series, Sanders batted .533 with 4 runs, 8 hits, 2 doubles, and 1 RBI while playing with a broken bone in his foot. In 1997, Sanders finished second in the NL with 56 stolen bases in 115 games while with the Cincinnati Reds

    In football, Sanders was voted the 1994 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and recorded an interception in the 49ers 49–26 victory over the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX, earning him his first championship ring.

    Sanders then went to the Cowboys where he helped them to will a Super Bowl.

    Like him or hate him, Sanders was one of the best football players of all time, and a great all-around athlete.

  15. All-time bust wears an all-time great’s number. In inviting the comparison, Gurley will only lose.

  16. If #21 was retired and Gurley was trying to get them to unretire it so he could wear it that would be one thing, but it sounds like multiple players have worn #21 sense Deion left. If I was Gurley and really wanted 21 Id wear it.

  17. It seemed impossible he’d be less likeable in retirement as he was as a player but he has managed quite nicely.

  18. I get what deion is saying, but if the organization won’t retire his number and many players since him have worn it, theres no reason Gurley shouldnt be able to. I cant stand deion anyway. Anytime a young db comes into the league who is projected to be a star in the nfl, deion tries to act like hes taking them under his wing, but to me it comes off as hes trying to steal their shine and take some credit for the youngsters performance. Hes just full of himself. Haa, I remember one game when Wentz had a good game and deion tried to call him for the “if you ball you get the call” segment and Wentz rejected it. Deion got his feelings hurt and told Wentz that next time deion calls, he BETTER answer his call. Lol I’m glad Wentz didnt participate.

  19. “Dude only played 5 of his 14 seasons in ATL.”

    =========================

    About half of his career interceptions were in Atlanta and 5 of 9 of his kick/punt returns for TD’s were in Atlanta.

    He was faster and I think a overall better player while with the Falcons. Sanders didn’t have the quality of players around him in Atlanta that he did in Dallas and San Fran.

  20. You mean the team he left to join a team already competing for a Superbowl. I guess he thinks his legacy is being a great player everywhere he went but to be honest his legacy is he knows how to join teams that are already winning. I always said Dion can make a good team great but not a bad team good.

  21. “I could see Deion saying this in jest maybe, but it smells like Gurley is making this into something that it isn’t.”

    ——————-

    If it were anyone else I would agree but Deion sees the world through the lens of Prime Time.

  22. Ummmm…..they don’t even play the same position. Nobody is comparing Gurley to Sanders.

  23. I’ve never understood why so many have a thing about jersey numbers! They already have their name on their jerseys, that should be enough. There’s only 99 numbers and guys move around teams like never before. And Deion was NEVER about team jersey identity anyway.

  24. freefromwhatyouare says:
    April 12, 2020 at 1:16 pm

    About half of his career interceptions were in Atlanta and 5 of 9 of his kick/punt returns for TD’s were in Atlanta.

    He was faster and I think a overall better player while with the Falcons. Sanders didn’t have the quality of players around him in Atlanta that he did in Dallas and San Fran.

    —————–

    I’m aware. I’m a Dirty Bird myself. But I don’t care for Deion’s opinion or his attitude. If he was truly all about this team then he would’ve never left it. Look at Julio and Matt, they don’t ever want to go anywhere else and have backed that up by staying. They will have their numbers retired and rightfully so. I don’t see a single Falcons fan saying we should retire the number 21.

  25. Wonder how Night Train, Ronnie Lott, or Ed Reed feel about that nonsensical comment?
    ——————–
    Ronnie Lott could not hold Dieon’s you know what! Deion is the discussion at least. And why are you judging safeties against CBs snyway?
    Ok, here we go again. Why all the Sanders hate? Can we ever just recognize great players for what they do on the field? Don’t remember Deion hurting anyone or any breaking the law. But you guys love cheaters like Brady, BB and Edelman. SMH.

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