HOMETOWN HERO

Former Seminole Deion Sanders was among a group of 12 college football legends made into “Heros of the Gridiron” action figures in 1997. His came with a removable helmet adorned with the FSU arrow and a garnet No. 2 jersey, which Florida State retired in 1995. A multi-sport athlete from Fort Myers, Sanders played cornerback for the Noles from 1985 to 1988. He became the first unanimous All-American in program history, earning honors in both his junior and senior seasons. Sanders was also the first Seminole to win the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. In his final career game, a 13-7 win over No. 7 Auburn in the 1989 Sugar Bowl, Sanders made an interception in the end zone with five seconds in regulation to preserve the victory. It was a fitting end to a heroic collegiate career. “He would not accept being a great player,” said defensive backs coach Mickey Andrews. “He wanted to be the very best.”