Prime Time returns: Deion Sanders takes center stage in Netflix’s Cowboys doc

On Tuesday, Netflix released its eight-part documentary series about Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the team’s glory days, “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys”. The series explores the early days of the Jones era, from purchasing the team from Bum Bright, to firing Tom Landry and hiring Jimmy Johnson (and the falling out), to drafting The Triplets, and of course, the star of the ‘90s, cornerback Deion Sanders.

The untold story of Deion Sanders in the Cowboys dynasty era

The series devotes an entire episode to Sanders, titled “Prime Time”. Though the Cowboys were loaded with legends like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, Sanders commanded the spotlight when he arrived in Dallas in 1995.

Sanders became one of the NFL’s greatest two-way players throughout history. In just his second season, he played as a returner, cornerback, and wide receiver. He was a first-team All-Pro cornerback, but also had 36 receptions for 475 yards and a touchdown that year. It’s no wonder that today, Sanders is credited with coaching dual-threat CB/WR Travis Hunter at Colorado, who was taken second overall in this year’s draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Deion was an impact player,” Jones said in the series. “He could score from punt return, and kick-off returns. He could score as a receiver. Frankly, he created such an imbalance on defense because teams would go away from him.”

Sanders’ unmatched speed, swagger, and football IQ transformed the team, helping secure another Super Bowl title and redefining the cornerback position.

“What made him so good? His athletic ability? No,” Smith said. “He was a student of the game. He knew splits. He knew formations. He knew concepts, and he knew them well.”

The series highlights not just Sanders’ athleticism, but also his obsessive preparation and charisma. It reminds us that Coach Prime isn’t just a football leader...he’s a Hall of Fame icon who once changed the game.

“The way I changed the game is, you were concerned about me, I wasn’t concerned about you. Because I run like a Lamborghini,” Sanders said. ”I put pressure on people, pressure ain’t on me, pressure is on them because you prepared and you studied.”

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