We’re used to seeing a clean-shaven Sanders; save for the occasional stache, he’s been baby-butt smooth since his Jheri-curl-and-giant-cell-phone days. But this isn’t the first time the former defensive back has rocked a jaw mane. His peak-of-the-pandemic beard was a majestic storm of gray whiskers, prompting some social media trolls to dub him “Father Time” (instead of Prime Time, get it?). Still, Sanders stood firmly by his seasoned look. “My Beard looks really good on me and I refuse to color it black and live the lie a multitude of men are living like we don’t know yo pillow case is black now!” he declared in an Instagram caption at the time.
And you know what? We applaud him. Growing back his ashen bristles is exactly the grooming power move Deion Sanders should be making at this audacious stage of his career. He’s got no reason to hide the fact that he’s getting older, and every reason to embrace who he is right now: Football’s great disruptor. The man who, 31 years after becoming the only athlete to play in a World Series and a Super Bowl, is still shaking up the sports world like an Etch A Sketch. Not only has he earned his grays, they’re a reflection of his enduring journey and the respect he commands to this day. Besides, in the silver fox power rankings, dude could actually give Clooney and Keanu a run for their money.
“Championship teams don’t let bull junk slide,” a still-bearded Sanders told the Buffaloes at practice this week ahead of their showdown with the UCLA Bruins on Saturday. Neither do they let Just For Men slip into their stubble. It’s all about embracing your natural talents.