Deion Sanders accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in honor of former Tennessee Titans superstar Chris Johnson, who recently announced on Good Morning America that he has been diagnosed with ALS.
Coach Prime was nominated by former Titans running back and USC Trojans star LenDale White, one of several former players who have participated in the challenge to support Johnson and raise awareness for ALS research.
Deion Sanders Jr., better known as Bucky, filmed the challenge, which was later posted across Coach Prime’s social media channels. Sanders called on one of his players to pour the bucket of ice water over him, though the player was not identified in the video.
Before taking the plunge, Sanders delivered an emotional message about Johnson and the way the football community has rallied around the former NFL rushing champion.
“I am so happy and excited about what’s going on in regard to Chris Johnson,” Sanders said. “The reason I am is because I know God uses the foolish things to confound the wise.”
Sanders recognized several former NFL stars who had already participated in the challenge, including Adam “Pacman” Jones, Edgerrin James, Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch and Devin Hester. He also acknowledged White, whom Sanders jokingly described as “my dog that dominated me.”
“I love these men to life,” Sanders said. “If we could use something foolish like this, because CJ is going to come through. I know he’s going to come through. He’s going to win this battle. But it has brought so many of us together.”
Unlike many Ice Bucket Challenge videos, Sanders did not nominate anyone else to participate after him. Instead, he used the moment to recognize the players and friends who had already answered the call and helped bring renewed attention to ALS research.
The challenge has become more than a social media trend for those close to Johnson. It has served as a public show of love for CJ2K while reconnecting former teammates, rivals and friends from across the football world.
Sanders admitted that participating in a challenge like this would not normally be something he would do. His respect for Johnson and the people supporting him, however, made the decision easy.
“I ain’t really going to do this kind of stuff, but I’m going to do it today because these men mean so much to me,” Sanders said. “CJ2K means so much to so many people, as well as myself. I can’t help but do it.”
As the bucket was raised above him, Sanders yelled out, "let the Lord use you. Do your thing. Do your thing. Do your thing.”
The freezing water came crashing down, causing Sanders to leap from his seat and yell before celebrating that he had followed through.
“Oh, Lord Jesus!” Sanders shouted. “That’s cold! God, I did it. LenDale, I love you, boy. Good day. God bless.”
The video ended with laughs, but its message was serious. Sanders joined a growing group of football stars using the challenge to stand with Chris Johnson, spread awareness and support the continued fight to find treatments and a cure for ALS.
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