November 23rd 2024.
Pat Surtain II is a true embodiment of Deion Sanders' famous philosophy - "If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good." As a cornerback for the Denver Broncos, Surtain not only brings his stylish pregame outfits that draw praise from his teammates, but also his confidence and swagger onto the field.
During the Broncos' recent game against the Raiders, Surtain was seen sporting a pair of blue and white Nike Air Diamond Turf 96 TD cleats, which are Sanders' signature cleats. This choice not only caught the attention of his teammates, but also channeled the legendary Hall of Fame defensive back as Surtain intercepted the ball near the end zone and ran it 100 yards for a touchdown.
Surtain is just one of the few players in college and professional ranks to wear Sanders' iconic cleats this season. For him, these cleats are not just a fashion statement, but a representation of Sanders' "Prime Time" persona. In an interview with The Denver Post, Surtain expressed how the cleats make him feel like he has the same swag and confidence as Sanders.
The Nike Air Diamond Turf cleats were first debuted in 1993 when Sanders played for the Falcons. In a recent win against the Atlanta Falcons, Surtain wore the cleat version of the original Diamond Turf, which was given to him by Nike as it has not yet been released to the public. In 1996, Nike released the Air Diamond Turf 96 Max, which Sanders wears on the sideline during Colorado Buffaloes games. Most of the Buffs players, including quarterback Shedeur Sanders, also wear the cleat version of this iconic sneaker.
The popularity of the Diamond Turf cleats has also spread to the NFL, with several notable players like Derrick Henry, Kyler Murray, Isaiah Likely, Josh Allen, and Brian Burns seen wearing them on the field. Even NBA star LeBron James has joined in on the trend, as he wore a special version of the LeBron 21 with the design of the Air Diamond Turf 96 Max during the Lakers' first-round series against the Nuggets.
According to Surtain, the reason why many players are drawn to these cleats is because of their simplicity and unique design. He also believes that they are not just any ordinary cleats, but a special one that players can wear with pride on game days.
But it's not just Surtain's fashion sense that has caught attention, it's also his impressive performance on the field. As a rookie, he has already been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, the league's Rookie of the Month, and a two-time Rookie of the Week recipient. One of the most impressive things about Surtain's development is his ability to protect the ball and avoid turnovers.
According to Pro Football Focus, Surtain and Commander's quarterback Jayden Daniels are tied for the second-fewest turnover-worthy plays among NFL starting quarterbacks with at least 350 dropbacks. This means that they have a low percentage chance of throwing interceptions or fumbling the ball. The only player with fewer turnover-worthy plays is Baltimore's Lamar Jackson.
This improvement in decision-making and ball protection has played a significant role in the Broncos' success this season. In fact, they have a record of 6-1 when Surtain doesn't throw an interception and 0-4 when he does. This shows how crucial his role is in the team's overall performance.
When the Broncos were scouting Surtain before last year's draft, head coach Sean Payton was impressed by the 24-year-old's low turnover and sack differentials. In his two seasons at Oregon, Surtain only had 74 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 13 turnover-worthy plays. His final season with the Ducks was even more impressive, as he only had three interceptions and five turnover-worthy plays.
Although he struggled with turnovers early on in his rookie season, Surtain has shown significant improvement in this area. In the first three games, he had four interceptions and five turnover-worthy plays, but since Week 4, he has only recorded two picks and one turnover-worthy play. He has even had seven games without any turnover-worthy plays.
Overall, Surtain's progress is a testament to his hard work and dedication. And as he continues to make a name for himself in the NFL, we can expect to see more of his stylish pregame fits and confident swagger on and off the field.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
