[ravidubey]

Originally Posted by abersonc

I can't believe anyone actually has hate for Deion. Tackling wasn't his thing -- so what. Would you rather have a corner who tackles or one who completely shuts down his receiver?

People hated him immediately and Deion capitalized on that from the beginning. At the draft, saying Detroit would have to put him on "layaway" while covered in ridiculous gold chains and dark sunglasses-- that was the start of the image. He had probably never looked like that before any day of his life.

That image brought him fame and money and also drew the ire of the old-school, character police type fans. But that hate worked for him. People who disliked a team he played for would transfer much of that hatred or dislike to him instead. That hatred coupled with his own ability made him famous.

When people would see the Falcons and later the 49ers, and Cowboys they'd think of Deion Sanders. It was so bad in San Francisco that the whole defense felt they got no respect for their championship season and had Jerry Rice cursing expletives in front of TV cameras.