Netflix has launched a new series, “The Gamble and His Cowboys,” which looks back at the championship era of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s. The show places a special focus on Deion Sanders, now head coach at Colorado, with one episode dedicated to his impact during his time as a player.
The series highlights the team’s success under owner Jerry Jones and features Hall of Famers such as quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith, and wide receiver Michael Irvin. It shows how Sanders’ arrival in Dallas in 1995 helped elevate the team’s performance.
Jones said about Sanders: “Deion was an impact player. He could score from punt return, and kick-off returns. He could score as a receiver. Frankly, he created such an imbalance on defense because teams would go away from him.” Jones noted that this advantage played a key role in the Cowboys winning their third Super Bowl title in four years after Sanders joined them.
Emmitt Smith described what set Sanders apart: “What made him so good? His athletic ability? No. He was a student of the game. He knew splits. He knew formations. He knew concepts, and he knew them well.”
Sanders also reflected on his style of play: “The way I changed the game is, you were concerned about me, I wasn’t concerned about you. Because I run like a Lamborghini (…) I put pressure on people, pressure ain’t on me, pressure is on them because you prepared and you studied.”
The series connects Sanders’ legacy with his current role as head coach for Colorado Buffaloes football, where he continues to use preparation and charisma as part of his coaching philosophy.
Sanders is set to feature in another Netflix project scheduled for release in 2026 that will focus on his work off the field.
