The following story is alleged to have happened (by my Father). Part of me doubts it happened (at least not all of it). And yet, my father insists it happened and from the earliest days of him telling this story (30 or so years ago) it has remained extremely consistent in the numerous times that he has since retold it.
My Dad was in Cincinnati for a business trip and rain into Deion in the elevator when he and his colleagues were heading out to dinner. They knew who Deion was (this is when he was still playing football and baseball) but didn't make a big deal about being in the elevator with him and just continued to discuss their dinner plans. At a certain point, Prime jumped in and asked if he could tag along because they were going to one of his favorite places.
Now, they all thought it was odd that Deion would want to hang out with a bunch of mid-level AT&T managers. My Dad even asked if he didn't have a team function or anything he needed to be at. But, Deion said no and so they all went out to dinner. At the end of the meal, Deion put down his credit card and told them not to worry about anything. Then he asked if they were going back to the hotel or going anywhere else. They said they were going out for drinks and Deion came along again and paid for it all. At some point, my Dad made a comment about all of Deion's jewelry and if it wasn't kind of annoying to wear. Deion laughed and pointed to his diamond necklace and said, "Signing bonus - they can't take taxes on this like they would have if I just took the money."
The next morning, they were in the elevator heading down to breakfast and who enters - you know it, Coach Prime. Deion asked what they were doing for breakfast and when they said that they were just eating at the hotel he told them to forget it - come with me, I know a place. Once again, he picked up the tab.
Now, my first question as a 10 year old when my Dad got back and told us the story was to ask why he didn't get Deion's autograph for us. My Dad laughed and said, "The guy was paying for my dinner, my drinks and my breakfast. I didn't want to impose on him by asking for an autograph on top of it."
Since that time, I've always been a Deion fan. And, I really want to believe that the story is true.