The Dallas Cowboys have often felt more like America’s Reality TV than America’s Team. Just look at the current Micah Parsons contract drama, it’s the kind of headline-grabbing saga fans have come to expect.
But 30 years ago, the spotlight was on something far more impressive: the Cowboys landed Deion Sanders in free agency. Fresh off a Super Bowl win with the 49ers, Deion was the most coveted player on the market.
Jerry Jones didn’t just bring him to Dallas, he made him the highest-paid defensive player in the league. The deal was big, bold, and pure Cowboys. It wasn’t drama for the sake of attention; it was drama with purpose, and it helped shape a dynasty.
Why Deion Sanders Chose the Cowboys Over Millions
Deion Sanders was supposedly offered more money to play for other teams, specifically the Raiders, but the opportunity to play for the Dallas Cowboys, who embraced using him on offense as well, which was important to Deion, was too good to pass up.
Plus, it wasn’t like the Cowboys were going to underpay him: They offered him a seven-year, $35 million contract, which made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, which was a rare feat for a DB.
Also, the deal included a signing bonus, which was initially reported to be worth $13 million. But later it was revealed to be only $12,999,999. Why the change? Because Jerry Jones thought 13 was unlucky, and Jerry Jones gets what he wants.
Deion later wrote in Power, Money & Sex: How Success Almost Ruined My Life that the Raiders actually offered him more money than any other team. But he picked Dallas for a chance at back-to-back Super Bowls, the chance to play more offense, and because of his friendship with Michael Irvin.
How Jones Defied NFL on Deion Sanders Contract
By signing Deion Sanders, Jerry Jones was picking a fight with the NFL. The Cowboys owner refused to back down after the league questioned Sanders’ seven-year, $35 million deal, which included a $12.99 million signing bonus.
The NFL claimed the contract violated the “spirit” of the salary cap, accusing Dallas of structuring it to dodge early-year cap hits. Jones fired back, calling the league’s actions selective and an attack on his team. “They’re trying to intimidate the Cowboys, they’re trying to be a bully. We will not let them intimidate or bully us,” he said.
Then league exec Harold Henderson claimed Sanders’ deal was unlike any other, but Jones and the NFLPA argued otherwise, pointing to similar structures for players like Andre Rison and Eric Allen.
Despite the controversy, Sanders was cleared to play but sidelined with an ankle injury.
Still, Jones stood firm, insisting the contract followed the rules and vowing to fight any attempts to force renegotiation. For him, it wasn’t just business, it was war.
The move paid off eventually. Deion had arthroscopic surgery and didn’t make his Cowboys debut until Week 9, in Atlanta of all places, against his former team.
Dallas won, 28–13. And just a few months later, Sanders helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl XXX, making plays on both sides of the ball, including a 47-yard reception that set up the team’s first touchdown. He’d go on to make the Pro Bowl in all four seasons he played in Dallas.
Also Read: Deion Sanders Hid His Cancer From His Mom, Here’s Who Knew First