Part 5/8:
Drafted fifth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 1989, Sanders quickly became a household name. His rookie contract was worth $4.4 million, and he made headlines by becoming the first professional athlete to score a touchdown and hit a home run in the same week. However, his penchant for flamboyance clashed with the values of traditional sportsmanship, which led to some inevitable friction with teammates and other players alike.
The turning point came during a heated MLB game that underscored his infamous attitude problem. Sanders' dismissal of the game’s integrity led to clashes with fellow players and officials, including a memorable confrontation with Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk. Despite his uncanny talent, this brash behavior threatened to derail his career before it truly took off.