Deion Sanders compares Shohei Ohtani to Michael Jordan and Tom Brady, highlighting the extraordinary talent that both athletes possess. Sanders, who has experienced the demands of professional sports firsthand, understands the challenges of excelling at the highest levels of competition.
During a recent press conference, the head football coach of Colorado expressed his admiration for Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ standout player. Ohtani made history last week by becoming the first player in Major League Baseball to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
“Ohtani, he’s incredible, man,” Sanders remarked. “You can compare him to the [Michael] Jordans and … Tom Bradys of the world. That’s who he is. He’s doing things that we haven’t fathomed.”
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While Sanders is now known as “Coach Prime” in the college football arena, few are as qualified to comment on Ohtani’s achievements as he is. His illustrious career includes playing in the MLB for teams such as the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants, alongside his Hall of Fame accolades in the NFL.
As a former speedy outfielder, Sanders stole five bases during the 1992 World Series with the Braves. Despite a respectable career batting average of .263 over 641 games, he has openly stated that hitting a baseball posed his greatest challenge in sports, which likely fuels his deep respect for Ohtani’s remarkable skills.
When discussing Ohtani’s groundbreaking 50-50 achievement, Sanders could hardly contain his astonishment.
“It doesn’t make sense,” he stated. “I think the only person[s] [I played against] who probably could have done that was [Jose] Canseco or Barry Bonds.”
While Canseco and Bonds are recognized as two of the greatest hitters in MLB history, their legacies are marred by performance-enhancing drug controversies. In contrast, Ohtani’s accomplishments come during a period where MLB has intensified its efforts against PED use, boasting 53 home runs and 55 stolen bases as of Tuesday night.
Adding to his uniqueness, Ohtani is also a pitcher, distinguishing him as one of the rare players capable of excelling in both pitching and hitting. However, he is currently sidelined from pitching as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
By likening Ohtani to legends like Jordan and Brady, Sanders offers a significant endorsement. This comparison holds weight, especially coming from someone with Sanders’ remarkable athletic background, who is no stranger to versatility and excellence in sports.
