I’ve covered as a reporter only one pro football game: Oct. 23, 1994, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. It was the former Fresno State quarterback’s first NFL start.

Dilfer and the Bucs struggled against a 49ers team that three months later would crush San Diego in the Super Bowl.

Players from each team stayed in their half of the field during pre-game warm-ups. Well, all but Deion Sanders. While Dilfer warmed up next to the Tampa Bay bench, the flamboyant 49ers cornerback jogged past his own bench.

No big deal. His teammates were doing the same.

But Sanders kept going. He jogged — it wasn’t much faster than a casual walk — to the end zone, made a right, got to the Tampa Bay sideline, then made another right toward the Bucs’ bench. And the rookie Dilfer.

Then they crossed paths. Dilfer was practicing his dropbacks. Sanders slowed almost to the pace of a baby’s crawl. Neither looked directly at the other, or said anything.

I don’t recall a pass thrown in Sanders’ direction that day.