Yahoo Sports MinuteDeion Sanders threatens Pat Hanlon on live TV
Deion Sanders is widely considered to be one of the best cornerbacks in NFL history. The Pro Football Hall of Famer also had a reputation for not being the best tackler. When that aspect of the NFL Network analyst's playing career was brought up on live TV during coverage from Super Bowl XLVIII after his "interview" with Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch by New York Giants vice president of communications Pat Hanlon, Prime Time took exception to the PR man's statement.
Here's how the testy exchange went down according to Bob Raissman of The New York Daily News:
(NFL Network host Rich) Eisen set the confrontation up, crediting Sanders for finding Lynch and getting the interview.
“And he’s also tough to tackle when you’re trying to interview him,” Eisen said.
“Prime got him,” Hanlon said smiling. “Hey, they said Prime didn’t tackle anybody (when he played). Well, he just ‘tackled’ Marshawn Lynch... Sorry to bring that up. I’m a Giant.” While Hanlon was delivering the word, Faulk — who was taking this whole Lynch thing way too seriously — glared at the PR man.
A few moments later, Sanders was back on the screen.
“I’m about to go into Beast Mode (on Hanlon). Name one game when you didn’t see me (make tackles) — especially against the Giants. Show me the tape,” Sanders seethed. “See, I get offended when people say that.”
Hanlon did not exactly go Ralph Kramden, but he was looking for a way out.
“When I think about you, I think about you breaking (kicker) Brad Daluiso’s leg (in 1999) returning a kickoff,” Hanlon said.
“Let’s not get off the subject,” Sanders shot back. “Name me one game... One game when you ever saw me cost my team anything? That (Deion Sanders) hit reel is 59 minutes long. If you want to be the last minute on that hit reel, you can.”
Now, Hanlon’s weasel, er, PR techniques kicked in.
“We can replay the tape,” Hanlon said. “I didn’t say you didn’t tackle. I said THEY said you didn’t tackle.”
“Good, that’s a good way to get out of it,” Sanders said sarcastically. “Well done. That’s a good answer.”
Somewhere, Tim McCarver is smiling.
That was embarrassing
Meanwhile in the NBA, Tony Parker had a moment he'd like to forget against the Chicago Bulls. Following a technical foul assessed to Joakim Noah in the third quarter, the San Antonio Spurs point guard went to the charity stripe. The ball slipped out of his hands on what appeared to be a legitimate attempt — but officials let him have a do-over, which he made. Chicago eventually won 96-86.
Making a statement
Finally in hockey, recently acquired goalie Ben Scrivens made his presence felt for the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night. The former Los Angeles Kings backup set an NHL record with 59 saves in a 3-0 shutout of the San Jose Sharks.
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