After Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard got a record-setting contract extension, former NFL pro Deion Sanders got roasted on Twitter.
Twitter reminded Deion Sanders about his epic gaffe back in 2018 when he thought Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard was just a fan, when in reality he was an elite safety in the NFL.
Byard is now the highest-paid safety in NFL history with a five-year, $70.5 million deal that was announced on Wednesday night. After the deal was made official, Twitter roasted Sanders.
Just to remind you how it went down, Sanders proclaimed Tyrann Mathieu as the best safety in the NFL in March of 2018, which then drew a reaction from Byard.
https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/975945060813557762
When Byard commented on the tweet, Sanders made it clear he didn’t even know who the Titans safety was and called him out as a fan. Bear in mind, Byard was a Pro Bowler and First-Team All Pro the season prior to Sanders’ March 2018 proclamation.
You're looking at who writers tell u who's the best I know who players and former players feel is the best. I rest my case. You continue to be a fan and i will continue being the man. #Truth https://t.co/gnpwJHjxEK
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) March 20, 2018
Byard went on to defend himself, as well as other safeties in the league.
But the numbers nor film add up. How do you overlook guys like Harrison Smith, Earl Thomas, and Eric Berry as not being the best in the game? I never said I was the best but I’m on my way. You continue to be a fan and I will continue going to the pro bowl and being great #Truth https://t.co/s099lNjiq2
— Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) March 20, 2018
Byard then pointed out Sanders’ hypocrisy.
https://twitter.com/KB31_Era/status/976170736372060160
Well, Sanders might have forgotten this little episode, but Pepperidge Farm remembers.
On Wednesday night, Sanders got the business from Twitter.
Deion Sanders looks really silly now mistaking Kevin Byard for a twitter troll last year
— Isaac (@isaacfromFL) July 25, 2019
“SUCK IT @DeionSanders “- Byard
— Fast Nasty (@fastnasty) July 25, 2019
Heard of Byard now, @DeionSanders or you still doing that clown act?
— Robby Aces (@RobbyAces) July 25, 2019
@DeionSanders you know who Kevin Byard is yet, buddy?! #idiot #doyourjob
— MTNVOL (@Ktownbrewin) July 25, 2019
This is cringeworthy for Sanders, but let’s keep the fun rolling, shall we?
NOW YOU KNOW BYARD NAME @DeionSanders
— speak nothing of this (@B__Hen) July 25, 2019
@DeionSanders so who is Byard again?
— Thomas Jacob Waters (@thomasjwaters18) July 25, 2019
I think it’s time Sanders comes out with an apology for Byard. What do you think?
@DeionSanders just say oops and move along. Kevin, congrats!! @KB31_Era https://t.co/pWKwzXas1R
— Chad Johnson (NOT OchoCinco)®️🏈⚾️ (@chadj19) July 25, 2019
Even the blue checkmarks got involved.
March 2018: Deion Sanders mistakes Kevin Byard for a fan.
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 25, 2019
July 2019: Byard becomes highest-paid NFL safety with $70 million deal. pic.twitter.com/sxDrZf8g5u
Your thoughts, @DeionSanders? (And yours, daddy’s spokesperson @DeionSandersJr?) https://t.co/ufm0lfDuOG
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) July 25, 2019
Wonder if Deion Sanders still thinks Kevin Byard is just a fan? What you think @KB31_Era ?
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) July 25, 2019
We could go on and on, but eventually the fun has to stop at some point. Let’s just say that Sanders’ tweet didn’t age well.
Early Thursday morning, Sanders acknowledged Byard’s extension, although he took a shot at the Titans in his tweet:
@Titans i never thought I'd see the day where u boast about another BLACKMAN being paid! GOD IS GOOD! AMEN AMEN & AMEN!
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) July 25, 2019
Now that Byard has received his massive deal, it’ll be interesting to see if Sanders actually comes out and apologizes. We wouldn’t hold our breath for that, though.
In the end it doesn’t matter. Byard got his bag and is now the highest-paid safety in NFL history, which is what he deserved as the best player at his position in the league.
And he earned that title, whether Sanders knows who he is or not.