“RIP Daddy”: Deion Sanders’ Sister Pays Tribute to Late Father While Coach Prime Immortalizes His Name

Dеion Sandеrs was shaped by the influence of two fathers: his biological father, Mims Sanders, and his stepfather, Willie J Knight. Sanders mentioned Knight as one of the prominent men in his life in his book. While Mims kept the “Sanders” legacy alive, it was Willie who nurtured the essence of “Deion,” providing love, stability, and support from a young age until his passing in 1997. Since Knight’s impact is so relevant, Coach Prime immortalizes him with a heartwarming tribute, along with his stepsister.

In memory of his late stepfather, Sanders has dedicated an entire lake in Colorado to Knight’s name. Coach Prime posted a selfie with the serene lake surrounded by nature in the background on Instagram, with the caption, “I dedicated this Lake to my Stepfather Willie J. Knight he’s gone on to be with the Lord.” Acknowledging her brother’s heartfelt contribution, Sanders’ sister, Tracie Knight, took to social media to express her support and gratitude.

Sharing Sanders’ Instagram post on her story, Tracie wrote, “He’s sitting up in Heaven smiling big! RIP Daddy.”

Sanders’ tribute holds a deep nostalgic significance for him as Knight played a true father’s role in his life. “He taught me how to fish and kept his peace regardless of circumstance. He was also a consistent hardworking man. My affection for fishing came from him,” Sanders wrote in his heartfelt caption.

Sanders’ mother, Connie married Knight when Sanders was eight. Knight helped Sanders in his formidable years by providing a better life for him and his family.

During his playing days, Sanders used to pay tribute to his father and stepfather each time he reached base by tapping his chest and pointing skyward.

Notably, during his book promotion tour in New York back in March, Coach Prime disclosed that Willie J Knight had a significant influence on his latest book, Elevate, and Dominate.

Knight’s guiding influence in Coach Prime’s journey

In his book, Elevate and Dominate: 21 Ways to Win On and Off the Field’ Sanders  talked about his mother “who worked non-stop to support her family, being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, earning his place as a head coach with a Division I football team, and being a dedicated father of five accomplished children.” He also wrote about men who have had a significant influence in his life.

Among the six significant men mentioned in the book, which includes Dave Capel, Ron Hoover, and his biological father Mims Sanders, Knight was most prominently featured.

Moreover, back in 2015, Deion Sanders dedicated a powerful tweet to Knight on the occasion of Father’s Day. “I became a man when I realized I don’t have to be the perfect father but a present father. I became a man when I learned not to love something that didn’t have the capacity to love me back,” wrote Deion.

“‘Father’s day’ it means more to me than just a text, tweet, Instagram or email. I had a biological father and a wonderful stepfather that are deceased. We never exchanged the simple words I LOVE YOU so I don’t take this day for granted,” he added.

Whether as a father, coach, or author of two self-help books, Deion Sanders attributes much of who he is today to the positive impact of Willie Knight’s upbringing.