Michael Irvin recently visited Deion Sanders at his mansion in Prosper, Texas, and after the trip, he shared the story behind a long-running inside joke. In a video he posted on YouTube after his visit, Irvin mentioned that Deion referred to him as “James,” a name that has puzzled fans for years.
Irvin finally explained where the nickname came from, shedding light on a moment from their past that has stuck with them ever since.
The story reflects their deep friendship, the way they held each other accountable, and the playful way Deion has always called out Irvin whenever he strayed from their shared focus.
Michael Irvin Visits Deion Sanders
Michael Irvin recently paid his longtime friend Deion Sanders a visit at his Texas mansion after news of Coach Prime’s health struggles made headlines. Prime posted a clip on Instagram of their time together, pairing it with a heartfelt caption: “Thank you for coming to see me yesterday and boosting my spirit. Y’all already know my brother Playmaker is a fool! But I love him 2 Life!”
The video, first shared by Irvin, showed the two Hall of Famers walking around the pool at Sanders’ estate, exchanging playful banter like they were back in the locker room.
Irvin cracked jokes about house-sitting duties, telling Sanders: “When you go back to Colorado, I’m gonna keep this for ya… We gonna call it the Prime party.” Sanders couldn’t stop laughing, repeatedly calling him “a fool.”
Then came the moment longtime fans noticed. Deion referred to Irvin as “James” once again, reviving the cryptic nickname that has lingered for years.
Why Deion Sanders Calls Michael Irvin James
Speaking on YouTube, Irvin said, “I’ll tell you why he calls me James,” before diving into a story from their younger days.
He and Sanders were staying at a hotel when Irvin noticed a beautiful woman but chose not to approach her, staying true to their pact. They went to their rooms separately.
Later that night, Irvin couldn’t sleep. He took a walk and happened to bump into the same woman again. This time, he gave in. He spent time with the beautiful woman until Sanders showed up at his door. Irvin opened it, and Deion simply said, “Oh, James.”
Irvin, confused, asked what that meant. Deion explained: “You James Dublin, that means I doubled back.”
Since then, “James Dublin” has become an inside name for Irvin. The guy who gave in after promising not to. As Irvin put it, “James Dublin always double back and do what he does.”
For Sanders, the nickname isn’t just about one moment, but a sharp, humorous reminder of how easy it is to fold when no one’s watching. It stuck because it was true.
In a friendship built on honesty, discipline, and decades of history, “James” says everything without needing to explain a thing.
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