“LeBron James Could Play in the NFL, But Kevin Durant is Too Slim”: Deion Sanders Doesn’t Believe Nets Star Could Shine in Pro Football Like the ‘The King’

Deion Sanders was one of the most prolific athletes of all-time, so if anyone could predict which modern day sportsperson could shine in 2 sports, it’s him.

Sanders, better known by his well-deserved nicknames “Prime Time” and “Neon Deion”, represents probably the last notable member of a dying breed: 2 sport professional athletes.

He played 14 years in the NFL, during which he cemented his legacy as one of the greatest defensive players ever. He won 2 Super Bowls, a DPOY, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

While he was tearing it up on the gridiron, he also made his presence known on the baseball diamond. He was a part-time left/center fielder in the MLB for 5 teams over 9 years and even made it to a World Series.

Although the Braves ultimately lost, Sanders became the first (and probably last) athlete to appear in both a Super Bowl and World Series. He is also the only player to hit a home run and score a touchdown in the same week.

Deion Sanders Believes LeBron James Could Play in the NFL

Appearing on First Take yesterday, Sanders was asked which current athletes he feels could play 2 sports professionally. “LeBron could do it,” he answered. “LeBron could play receiver. For certain.”

“Football players can’t do the basketball thing, not at that level. Because those are like greyhounds running up and down the court.”

“I would say KD, but KD’s a little slim,” Sanders joked. “Maybe I’d put him in in the redone and just run the fade.” He also said that some NBA big men might be able to play tight end, but that his era had more pure athletes that might have been more capable than today’s players.

KD in the NFL 👀 @DeionSanders says he’d love to see it, but he’s a little “slim.”

Deion also thinks LeBron would thrive as a two-sport athlete like he did. pic.twitter.com/f81ohh27QK

— First Take (@FirstTake) August 26, 2021

Whether that’s true or not, it’s surprising that Deion didn’t mention any football-baseball combinations seeing as that was what he did. A handful of NFL players, including Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, and Russell Wilson, were actually drafted to the MLB.

Also read: “Nobody’s A Turd When Tom Brady Is Around”: How The NFL GOAT Instilled A Championship Culture In The Tampa Bay Buccaneers