Deion Sanders has been very open about how he had two fathers in his life, and both taught him equally valuable lessons. Although his stepfather Willie J. Knight was more involved in raising young Deion, his biological father gave him the Prime side of his personality.
And even though Mims Sanders wasn’t a present father for him, Deion has stayed true to his bloodline as he has shown love even for his biological father, who left when he was very young.
But who was Mims Sanders, and why did he leave Deion Sanders when he was just a toddler?
Mims Sanders’ Relationship with Deion
Mims Sanders’ relationship with his son, Deion, was not short of painful layers. Sharing his past experiences, Deion Sanders dropped a bombshell, castigating his awkward situation with his dad, something he said no kid should ever have to go through:
“Everything in life causes a reaction in a thought. When I think about needs, I think about a biological problem. I remember taking some chicken and some sides and all that into the room and house where daddy… used to stay in—and they was shooting up. I saw that. That’s what I think about. It was something a young man shouldn’t have seen. But I didn’t judge him, just prayed for him.”
Despite hitting rock bottom at the presence of his son, Mims Sanders had a lasting impact on Coach Prime’s life. In fact, Deion Sanders never let their distance and awkward relationship destroy their father-son bond. And he took Mims Sanders’ advice seriously. Taking to his Instagram in 2023, Coach Prime wrote:
“This song reminds me of my father, Mims “Daddy Buck” Sanders. The feeling, the beat, the mood of the song, and all.”
Despite their strained relationship, Deion Sanders had a way of taking positive lessons by observing his father’s experiences. Speaking on his Instagram, Deion Sanders said:
“I had a biological father that was a drug addict and a stepfather that was alcoholic. So, that’s why I never touched drugs. Never smoked. I never been high, I never tasted alcohol. I never done none of that in my life because I saw those pictures. And I saw the conclusion of that. And I never wanted to go in that direction.”
Mims Sanders and Connie Separated Early
Mims Sanders was married to Connie, with whom they had the future football prodigy, Deion Sanders, on August 9, 1967. The two were leading a humble life and worked together to raise their son.
But you know marriage sometimes hits an end before it even gets started. And that’s the sad experience Mims Sanders and Connie Knight had to live through.
Just 2 years after having their son, Deion, Mims Sanders, and Connie had to part ways. After their divorce, Connie took with her Deion Sanders, leaving Mims, who was struggling with drug problems.
Mims Sanders’ Drug Addiction
Mims Sanders struggled with drug addiction throughout his life, especially after divorcing Connie. While Deion Sanders, his son, was making a remarkable legacy in his football career, Mims Sanders was going through a series of challenges, like incarceration and homelessness.
It’s only normal to imagine how these challenges worsened his relationship with people, particularly his son. Deion Sanders has shared how the distance between him and his dad widened.
However, Deion Sanders has always acknowledged the role his dad played in his life despite their distant relationship.
Mims Sanders’ Death
After having struggled with drug addiction for many years, Mims Sanders died on 23rd April 1993. At that time, Mims Sanders was 50 years old, living in Fort Meyer, Florida.
The cause of his death? A brain tumor that cut his life short before he’d witnessed his son turn out to be the leader he has been for years now.
Also Read: Meet Deion Sanders’ Mom Connie Knight, Who Had To Work Double Shifts To Raise the Football Legend
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