Deion Sanders gave Rickey Henderson another heartfelt tribute as he arrived in San Antonio for Colorado's Alamo Bowl matchup against BYU. Sanders called the recently-deceased Henderson the "greatest ever."
“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.”
Sanders penned a heartfelt obituary for Henderson right after the MLB's all-time steals leader.
"Rickey Henderson is my baseball hero!" Sanders wrote on Instagram. "I wanted to play like he played, I wanted the patience at the plate he had and understanding of the art of base stealing.
"He taught me so much and answered every time I called & he showed me love every time I seen him. Wow my hero is gone. Wow!!! God please bless his family, comfort them and protect the hearts of his loved 1z. This hurts."
Henderson was 65 and is survived by his wife Pamela and daughters Angela and Alexis.