When you think of Deion Sanders, you think flash, speed, and swagger. “Prime Time” isn’t just a nickname, it’s a lifestyle. Whether he is rocking Nike Diamond Turf ’93s, fishing like a pro, or dropping truth bombs on his Tubi show We Got Time Today, he’s always on the move. But lately, Coach Prime has been missing one thing he has always lived for: competition. Now, he is chasing it on a tennis court, with his childhood hero.

In Episode 8 of Coach Prime’s Playbook with Romi Bean, Sanders recalled meeting tennis legend John McEnroe during Colorado’s bye-week. “I had an appearance in LA with John McEnroe. How about that?” he said, grinning. “One of my heroes. And I told him, ‘I need you to understand this. I just started taking up tennis as another sport and I called myself John Blackenroe.’” McEnroe reportedly laughed his “butt off.” But Prime wasn’t kidding.

“I said, ‘I’m serious. I called myself John Blackenroe because of who he was growing up to me,’” he added. “He’s not that much older, but he was unbelievable and he challenged everything and he just had this fire and this passion of winning. So, he taught me a lot as a kid.” And of course, he’s already trademarked the nickname Prime Blackenroe.

At 57, most ex-athletes are satisfied reliving the glory days. Not Deion Sanders. The Hall of Famer who has two Super Bowl rings and a World Series appearance, decided to pick up a new sport. With just eight toes and a ton of willpower, he has been learning how to play tennis. And the reason behind it is his childhood hero, John McEnroe.

For those who aren’t aware, John Patrick McEnroe Jr. was the tennis player of his era. Seven Grand Slams, 170 weeks as world No. 1 in singles, and another 269 atop the doubles charts. The man was fire and finesse in equal measure, the perfect muse for a competitor like the current head coach of the University of Colorado football team.

Back in May, Sanders posted on Instagram, announcing tennis as his new “hobby” that lets him “personally compete.” Alongside a selfie flashing that signature grin, he captioned, “Give me six months and I’m gonna be PRIME BLACKENROE! Please understand I’m working with eight toes and a lot of pain but baby, I’m working.” Even his backhand comes with swagger. But of course, tennis wasn’t the only thing on his plate.

Deion Sanders from tennis balls to football goals

While Deion Sanders is channeling his inner McEnroe, his Colorado Buffaloes are grinding toward redemption. The Buffs took their bye week after a much-needed 24-17 upset win over No. 22 Iowa State, snapping a skid and sparking hope in Boulder. Now, as they gear up to face Utah, the HC is keeping his trademark fire alive both courtside and field-side. 

“Some people out here are just out here. They already quit. They already shut it down because they know they have no future in this. But the rest of y’all do,” the 58-year-old told his players during practice. “Separate yourself today from the ones who already shut it down.”

Colorado QB Kaidon Salter threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns in that win, while Joseph Williams hauled in eight passes for 128 yards. The defense looked locked in holding the Cyclones to just 2-of-12 on third downs. 

The message is clear. Whether it’s football, baseball, or tennis, Deion Sanders refuses to stop competing. Because for Prime Time, the game never really ends, it just changes courts.