Deion Sanders shares how he will remember Rickey Henderson

Rickey Henderson, one of the greatest MLB players of all-time, died this past Friday in San Francisco at 65 years of age. And those who knew him are honoring him the best way they know how.

Henderson’s death rocked the sports world, many taking the opportunity to remember his lasting legacy. That includes Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders, a former teammate of Henderson’s who grew up idolizing baseball’s “Man of Steal.” Sanders, speaking Monday ahead of the Buffaloes’ Alamo Bowl matchup against BYU this Saturday, called Henderson “the GOAT,” and the reason he wore No. 24 during his tenure with the Atlanta Braves from 1991-94.

“The greatest ever,” Sanders said. “I don’t think they’ll be a better leadoff hitter ever in the history of the game to come that can eclipse and dominate and take over a game like Rickey Henderson did. Every time I called, every time I saw him — he was so gracious and so kind. He taught me little things when I played with him, and I had the pleasure of playing with Rickey Henderson. How many people had the pleasure to play with the guy that they grew up idolizing and they desired to be?

“I just hate for that to happen. I’m praying for his family, friends, loved ones and everyone involved, but shoot, he’s the greatest ever. That’s the GOAT. That’s the real 24 — one of the reasons I wore 24 when I was in Atlanta.”

Rickey Henderson, MLB all-time great, dies at 65

Henderson enjoyed a lengthy playing career, spending 25 years in the big leagues (1979-2004) with nine teams. He is most remembered for his stints with the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics — his No. 24 retired by the latter. Henderson’s is MLB’s all-time stolen base leader with 1,406, 468 more than the next highest on the list (Lou Brock, 938).

Henderson was much, much more than just a base stealer, however. Henderson compiled 3,055 hits and left the game holding the all-time marks in runs scored (2,295) and walks (2,190), a record now held by Barry Bonds (2,558), per ESPN. A 10-time All-Star, Henderson finished his career with a 111.1 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), third most of anyone in the past half-century, behind only Bonds and Alex Rodriguez.

Henderson took his place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009 as a first-ballot inductee, earning 94.8% of the votes from electors.

“Rickey epitomized speed, power and entertainment in setting the tone at the top of the lineup. When we considered new rules for the game in recent years, we had the era of Rickey Henderson in mind,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Rickey earned universal respect, admiration and awe from sports fans. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to Rickey’s family, his friends and former teammates, A’s fans and baseball fans everywhere.”