Tyler R. Tynes: The gospel according to Deion Sanders: Coach Prime woos fans and overhauls Colorado
LOS ANGELES — "I want to get a testimony right quick," the preacher man said. "We got some stars out here that loveee Jesus!"
The preacher man descended from the pulpit, down a few steps of the patterned carpet at Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Fla., and beckoned for a brotha blessed for prime time.
"Deion," the preacher man called out. "Deeeeeionnn Sanders!"
Before he could say another word, men from each corner of the chancel hooted and howled. Women cheered and clapped in euphoria. In the front row that day in the early aughts was Deion Sanders — sharply dressed in a floor-length, pinstripe stunna suit, two-toned wing tips and his signature half-inch cut. Deion was in town, away from his duties at the time as a pro football player in the nation's capital, for one of famed televangelists Paula and Randy White's gospel extravaganzas.
The preacher man gushed. He was impressed with Deion and impassioned by his courageous stands for their religion within football. It wasn't uncommon to see Deion pop up at a gospel affair. The orator asked if Deion would address the congregation of thousands. Then, one preacher man turned to another; Deion took the microphone, stood at the center of the pulpit, and began to glimmer while he testified.
Chin tilted toward the heavens, Prime Time whispered into the microphone, soft like butter. "Put ya hands together and praise the Lord," Deion deponed. He implored his crowd to get louder. "You can do better than that!" he said, beginning to pace back and forth. "You've to understand! I've played in a couple of Super Bowls, and [I know] you've done better than that for a few football games!" His torso jolted like it was struck by lightning. "You've to praise him because you made it here today. The devil wanted to take you out, but you here today. He had some plans for ya, but you here today. You had a car wreck, but you here today! That woman who was lyin' on ya, but baby?! You here today!! ...
