Thursday, September 24, 1998

Deion honored for 'Prime Time' play

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - Like his punt return for a touchdown Monday night, Deion Sanders has provided yet another one of those something-you've-never-seen before-and-probably-won't-see-again moments.

The NFC honored Sanders yesterday as the player of the week in a special "PrimeTime" category for his performance in Monday's 31-7 victory against the New York Giants. The NFL awards conference players of the week on offense, defense and special teams.

NFL spokesman Chris McCloskey said the league created a "one-time only" category because Sanders' effort, which included touchdowns on a 59-yard punt return and a 71-yard interception return, and a 55-yard pass reception that set up a third score, overlapped so many areas.

And what about the name?

"He did it on Monday night in prime time. And his nickname is Prime Time," McCloskey said. "We felt it would be appropriate."

NFL Films president Steve Sabol said he ranks Sanders' effort among the top 10 efforts all-time and puts it in the same category as the NFL record six-touchdown game by Bears great Gale Sayers in 1965.

(c) 1998, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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