NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders Launches Social Media Campaign to Meet MSU Bobcat Player Koni Dole

NFL Hall of Famer Deoin Sanders, who has eight Pro Bowl selections and two Super Bowl rings to his name, wants to meet Montana State University linebacker Koni Dole. Will Neon Deion be making travel arrangements to Bozeman soon?

According to the Billings Gazette,

Back in the fall of 2012, when Koni Dole was a junior at Huntley Project, he suffered a horrific compound fracture to his right leg during a game that required six surgeries. He soon developed compartment syndrome, and in an effort to save his athletic career he made the agonizing decision to have his leg amputated below the knee. He miraculously returned to the field as a senior after months of rehab and recovery — and with the help of a football-specific prosthetic.

Dole continued his attempt at fulfilling a childhood dream of playing for the Bobcats by walking on to the Montana State football team. He redshirted during the 2014 season, and made his dream a reality by playing in Montana State’s season-opening victory against Fort Lewis this year. Dole, known as “the excuse eliminator” in MSU circles, has mandated that his coaches and teammates accept him as a football player — not as an amputee playing football. He wants to be evaluated strictly on the merits of his ability on the field.

Dole not only inspires teammates and those around him, NFL greats such as Deion Sanders are now taking notice and drawing inspiration from his story. Last week the Hall of Fame cornerback posted a photo of Dole on Instagram, saying he'd like to meet Dole one day. Sanders wrote,

I'm encouraged,proud,happy,excited and anticipating meeting this young man 1 day. Please help me reach him if u can. How can we ever say we cant when he's shown us we can. No more Excuses regarding your dream,ambition or desire. He's a living testimony not to allow ANYTHING,ANYONE OR YOU to keep u from getting in the real game of life. Help me reach him please. Love ya and God bless.

Sanders later tweeted, encouraging his followers to follow Dole and push him toward playing in the NFL. "Will yall do me a favor & follow and encourage @konidole7 he is a incredible person to prove he could when they said he couldn't."

The Billings Gazette said Dole was not made available for comment after MSU's practice yesterday, and is not likely to do interviews for the remainder of the season.