Deion Sanders has a bit of a strained relationship with his alma mater. He gave a lot to the FSU Seminoles with his play on the gridiron. However, Deion seems to not have received equal reciprocation. The Seminoles allegedly didn’t deem him fit to helm their fabled program as HC. Given how the two have converged in opposite spectrums since, one wonders if they rue that. Alas, one thing about Deion: no matter if there’s any grudge or friction. He’s a giving soul who’ll lend a proverbial helping hand to those in need. He’s keeping any potential animosity aside for former teammate Keith Ross.

Ross, a running back whose time at FSU coincided with their generational superstar, Deion Sanders, is battling terminal cancer. In the wake of this devastation revelation, Deion is adamant about using his widespread outreach and platform to garner blessings. As well as some tangible help through fund-raising.

He took to his X account to share a link to the fundraiser set up for Keith Ross. “This is a very sensitive matter, plz donate whatever you can,” he wrote. With the reverence and digital footprint Deion holds, you’d hope this can help the fundraiser reach its requisite goal of $100,000. At the time of writing, it currently sits at close to $15,000.

Keith Ross was a member of the Seminoles from 1985-88, the same as Deion Sanders. The pair quite literally went from boys to men together. Primarily a running back, Ross was also deployed, to great success, as a kick returner on special teams. In fact, the Seminoles’ fan forum “Tomahawk Nation” cited him as the greatest kick returner in program history. As Sanders continued his football career in the NFL and later dabbled in baseball, Ross went down a less glamorous route, albeit one just as if not more respected.. He worked in Law Enforcement. Begrudgingly, his service is now on pause due to stage 4 terminal cancer of the bones, kidney and liver.

An excerpt from the aforementioned fundraiser read, “We are calling on friends, family, Seminole Nation, Gator Nation, Law Enforcement brothers and sisters as well as others to contribute monetarily and help alleviate the burden of mounting healthcare bills and other expenses. Let us rally around our beloved brother and donate what we can to support him in his journey.”

A great cause, which we hope gains plenty of traction. The timing of this tragic news is particularly devastating for Deion, who’s already mourning the loss of a friend and confidante earlier in the week.

Multiple forms of tragic news gushing in for Deion Sanders at this juncture

For the regular civilian. It’s difficult to fathom someone you perhaps know little to nothing about becoming an integral facet of your life. For public figures of Deion Sanders’ ilk, things are a little different. A member of his security, Evis McGee, has passed on. McGee was a part of the Sanders’ entourage since their days at Jackson State. The sad reality of affairs is that Deion has lost someone with whom he shared a nexus built not via blood or companionship, but immense trust and reliance.

“Lt. McGee was one of the most loyal and faithful men that I’ve had the pleasure of working with. His consistency & commitment to his family, friends, and faith was truly commendable. LT will be missed. God Bless his wife and kids.” said Deion Sanders via X.

Keith Ross and Evis McGee are, unfortunately, two individuals that will be relegated to ancillary status in the grand scheme of things when it comes to the lore of Deion Sanders. However, they helped shape different stages of his career. The former helped a player who went on to breach conventional boundaries. The latter? A coach trying to do the same again. One hopes the small but resounding gesture of help from Deion can go some way in helping Ross and his family.