Not everyone has the chance to meet their childhood idols, and Coach Prime is no exception. Deion Sanders grew up admiring Redd Foxx and still holds a special place for him even years after his passing at 68. In a heartfelt tribute, Deion Sanders honors the beloved comedian and actor, keeping his memory alive more than three decades after his death.
Deion Sanders views Redd Foxx as a cherished influence and continues to admire his work. He remains a devoted fan of the Golden Globe Award winner, who was also named one of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time. A year after his passing, Redd Foxx received a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
Deion Sanders pens a heartfelt tribute to Redd Foxx
In a recent Instagram post, Coach Prime Deion Sanders paid tribute to Redd Foxx, his idol from childhood and adulthood. He shared a photo of Foxx with the caption, “Redd Foxx, one of my childhood and adult heroes. I’m saddened that he passed away without me having the chance to express the impact he had on my life. He worked tirelessly to achieve his success and was unapologetically himself—two reasons I admired him.”
Comedian and actor John Elroy Sanford, best known as Redd Foxx, starred in *The Redd Foxx Show* and released over 50 records during his lifetime. He appeared in popular films such as *Harlem Nights* and *Norman… Is That You?* His passing in October 1991 brought a wave of sadness across the nation, as they mourned the loss of the “King of the Party Records.”
Dedicated fans like Coach Prime continue to honor Redd Foxx’s legacy, celebrating the joy his work brought them. In a May post, Deion Sanders expressed his admiration, captioning a scene with, “Y’all know I love Redd Foxx. This is one of the funniest scenes even today.”
In another Instagram post, Coach Prime shared a video clip from Redd Foxx’s iconic ’70s show, *Sanford and Son*. He captioned the clip, “The way I father my kids is a lot like Fred G. Sanford, George Jefferson, and James Evans. I wish I had the chance to meet Redd Foxx before he passed away, as he was one of my childhood heroes.”
It’s tragic for the nation to lose such a talented individual too soon. For Coach Prime, however, the greater sadness lies in never having the opportunity to express to Redd Foxx the significant impact he had on his upbringing.
