Deion Sanders paid a heartfelt tribute on Sunday to MLB legend Rickey Henderson. The baseball star passed away on Friday at the age of 65 because of pneumonia. The entire baseball community came together to mourn the loss of the icon, from CC Sabathia to Alex Rodriguez. But for Sanders, this loss was rather personal. Henderson wasn’t just a baseball icon; he was a hero and a mentor for him.

Long before becoming “Coach Prime,” as people know him now, or earning a place in the NFL Hall of Fame, Sanders was a rising star in Major League Baseball. He made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees in May 1989. And there he had the privilege of sharing the outfield with none other than Henderson. The baseball icon was not just a stolen base king; he was a larger-than-life character who brought in swag like no one else. Sanders still remembers the mentorship he got, and heartbroken, he talked about his hero, who is now gone.

Deion Sanders talks about his hero Rickey Henderson

“Rickey Henderson is my baseball hero!” Sanders shared on Instagram, adding, “I wanted to play like he played; I wanted the patience at the plate he had & the understanding of the art of base stealing. He taught me so much and answered every time I called. & he showed me love every time I seen him. Wow my Hero is gone. Wow!!! God please bless his family, comfort them and protect the hearts of his loved 1z. This hurts. In Jesus name Amen.” These heartfelt words revealed his immense admiration for Henderson, not just as an athlete, but also as a mentor.

Henderson’s legacy is nothing short of extraordinary. The Oakland Athletics legend set the standard with 1,406 career stolen bases. He got the name ‘Man of Steal,’ a clear pun on his speed, power, and tactical brilliance, which made him one of the most electrifying players in the MLB. Sanders might not have reached Henderson’s level in baseball, but he shone brightly in two sports. In nine MLB seasons, he was with the Yankees and Braves and swiped 186 bases. But it was his football career where he truly stood out and ultimately became the NFL Hall of Famer.

Stephen Curry honors the Man of Steal

It seems not just baseball fans have come together to remember Rickey Henderson but the entire sports community. After the NFL, now it’s the NBA’s Stephen Curry who went viral when he gave a touching tribute to Oakland’s legend Rickey Henderson. Curry appeared to recreate an iconic photo of Henderson after he became the all-time stolen base king. The moment was captured before the Golden State Warriors game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Warriors shared on X, “Stephen pays homage to the ‘Man of Steal,’ Rickey Henderson 💚.”

After the game, Stephen Curry touched upon Rickey Henderson’s legacy and his impact on the Bay Area. At the postgame interview with Bonta Hill, Chris Mullin and Festus Ezeli Curry said, “A major shoutout, condolences to the entire Henderson family. Growing up as an adult in the Bay Area—especially what he did in Oakland—it resonates with me in terms of representing the Bay and doing it at a legendary, iconic level. [There’s] nobody like him, and so condolences to the whole family. I know the whole Bay Area mourns with them tonight.” 

Though the Warriors are facing challenges this season sitting at 15-12 in the Western Conference, Curry took time to honor the legacy of Henderson. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also took to the podium to talk about Henderson. The sports world truly united to honor Rickey Henderson, not just for the awesome player he was but for his memorable personality.