In the land of sports, where legends often only witness their milestones in highlight reels, there’s always that rare occasion that defies all expectations and sparks a frenzy. This NBA season opener served up just such a moment, courtesy of the James family. On October 23, LeBron James and his son Bronny hit the court together for the first time in an NBA game, making history and lighting up social media faster than a buzzer-beater.
The highlight wasn’t just for the fans. Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, football legend and all-around showman, was watching with intense nostalgia. And, according to his son, Shedeur Sanders, Coach Prime felt something more than just admiration. No, he wasn’t going to passively applaud from the sidelines. In true Prime fashion, he was considering suiting up. Because why just be inspired when you can steal the show?
Shedeur shared his dad’s surprising reaction on his podcast, 2 Legendary, saying, “I think it made Dad think, ‘Maybe I should just step out there—one last kickoff return, make a little history myself!’” With a touch of his characteristic humor, Shedeur joked that his dad would only need one play to remind the world why he’s still “Prime Time.”
Of course, Deion took to X (formerly known as Twitter, for anyone keeping score of Elon’s name changes) to shout out the NBA’s new father-son sensation. He praised LeBron, saying, “This speaks to Fatherhood, Excellence & Longevity.” But he didn’t stop there. In a quintessentially Prime tweet, he declared, “I’M COMING Back to play with my sons too! This is HISTORICAL!” Never one to be outdone, he threw in a bit of humor about his own potential comeback—hey, anything’s possible, right?
While Coach Prime’s “one-play comeback” is likely a fantasy, it’s a testament to the James family’s rare accomplishment. After all, NBA father-son duos don’t exactly grow on trees. Considering the physical demands of the sport, LeBron’s ability to hold off time and gravity to suit up with his son speaks to his legendary stamina. At 39, he’s still defying odds (and doubters) like he’s dunking on rookies. It’s safe to say this is the pinnacle of his illustrious 22-year career.
As for Coach Prime? With his own son Shilo on the Buffaloes alongside Shedeur, Sanders already has a father-son team of his own, albeit from the sidelines. But for now, we’re left with the image of him, at 57, plotting his dream return—pads, helmet, and all. Whether it’s banter or a bucket-list challenge, Coach Prime keeps proving that in sports, age is just a number, and legends never truly retire.
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