A story shared by women’s basketball legend Nancy Lieberman has brought back a personal moment involving Deion Sanders during his NFL career. Lieberman recently recalled receiving a late night phone call from Sanders while he was considering returning to football with the Baltimore Ravens after his retirement.
Deion Sanders Reached Out to Nancy Lieberman
Nancy Lieberman is one of the most respected figures in basketball. She built a Hall of Fame career as a player, later became a coach, and also worked as a television broadcaster. During the period when Deion Sanders was deciding whether to return to the NFL, Lieberman was covering sports as a broadcaster.
According to Lieberman, Sanders contacted her late at night because he wanted help explaining his decision to his then wife, Pilar Sanders.
She recalled that Deion Sanders told her he wanted to play football again, but he also understood the decision would affect his family.
As Lieberman explained, Sanders asked her to speak with Pilar because she might better understand the demands of professional sports coming from another athlete.
Lieberman shared that Deion Sanders said, “Can you call Pilar and explain to her that if I come out of retirement and play for the Ravens, I may not be as involved at home.”
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The conversation centered on the commitment required to return to the NFL after retirement.
Lieberman said she agreed to make the call and explained the realities of being a professional athlete, including the time, focus, and preparation needed during an NFL season.
The story also highlights that Deion Sanders turned to someone with firsthand experience in elite sports. Lieberman’s background as a Hall of Fame basketball player and broadcaster gave her a perspective he believed could help communicate the demands of returning to competition.
The account also points to discussions taking place between Deion and Pilar as he weighed the decision to resume his football career. According to Lieberman’s recollection, Sanders wanted Pilar to understand that playing for the Ravens would require a significant commitment and could reduce the amount of time he spent at home.
Sanders ultimately returned to the NFL in 2004 and played one season with the Baltimore Ravens before retiring from professional football for the second and final time.
Lieberman’s recollection offers a behind the scenes look at that decision. Her story describes how Deion Sanders sought help from another sports legend while preparing his family for the responsibilities that came with returning to the field, providing additional context to one of the final chapters of his NFL career.
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