Before Bill Goldberg rose to fame because of his exploits in the WWE, he was a part of pro and college football. As he guided his son, Gage, to step his foot in Deion Sanders’ team, he got nostalgic. Being part of the team himself as a weight staff, he received a lot of respect and recognition from Coach Prime. While reminiscing the old days, he stated how he had been the savior for Sanders during fights, “I saved him after he got hot out of bounds”. In this manner, the bond that Goldberg shared with Sanders was beyond the tags of being professional.

Gridiron bonds between Coach Prime and Goldberg

Prior to evolving as a professional wrestler, Goldberg had been a standout defensive tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs. He even played for the Atlanta Falcons within the time period of 1992 and 1994. It was at that point in time, that he developed a relationship with Deion Sanders. Their friendship blossomed because of the Coach Prime’s amiable nature. In the interview, Goldberg stated,  “I was the weight staff and Dion treated me just like anybody else. By the way had wrestling matches in the corner and anytime they picked, him he’d have me wrestle for him”. 

Sanders, renowned for his flashy style and lightning-fast speed, was not the one to shy away from controversy. However, as enlightened by Goldberg in the interview, when it came to physical confrontations, Coach Prime found an unconventional ally in none other than the WWE legend. 

Sander’s unlikely enforcer

Sander’s tenure with the Atlanta Falcons bestowed him with a unique and unexpected allegiance. Notorious for his aversion to tackling, the former Falcons player and the current head coach of the Buffaloes sought an alternative means to protect himself. It was then, that a Falcons defensive end from that era, Goldberg played the role of enforcer for Sanders.

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When tempers flared and disputes escalated, Coach Prime would summon Goldberg. As recalled by another Falcon teammate, Chuck Smith who stated that when Goldberg would step into the fights, “nobody would mess with him”. The WWE legend acted as a protective layer for Coach Prime to which Smith commented, “Goldberg was Deion’s ace in the hole.” While Sanders and Goldberg may have had vastly different approaches to their respective crafts, their unlikely alliance left an indelible mark on the Atlanta Falcons’ history.    

As Goldberg’s son is about to tread into the Colorado Buffaloes, it serves as a great opportunity for the WWE legend to reminisce about his friendship with Sanders that transcended professional boundaries. It traces how their bond flourished during their time with the Falcons showcasing the enduring power of sports relationships. 

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