One of the oldest NFL analysts, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, will no longer be on the net.
“Deion has been one of the key figures to blame for the expansion of NFL Netpaintings,” NFL Netpaintings vice president of communications for NFL Media, Alex Riethmiller, said Tuesday in a statement. “We thank you for your paintings and wish you the whole future.”
The Sports Business Journal, which was the first to report the news on Tuesday, also reported that it was Sanders who chose to leave the network after his contract expired.
Sanders had been contributing to NFL Network systems since 2006. He played 14 seasons in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington and Baltimore Ravens and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. His 53 careers interceptions are tied for 24th in NFL history.
Sanders spoke publicly about his preference for a coach after serving as offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas, a Dallas suburb. In January, Sanders gave the impression on the Dan Patrick Show and said he would be the school football head coach for the 2021 season.
In recent days, Sanders has been criticized for commenting on Twitter asking players who have to withdraw from the 2020 season for fear of coronavirus.
“All OPTIONAL players in all sports, PLEASE BELIEVE that the game will continue without you,” Sanders wrote friday. “It’s a case and NEVER that. THERE IS NO PERSON that is bigger than the game itself. Only referees, referees and officers are so vital that you can’t play without them. Not you! “Vérité”.