# WWJD? Just as Deion Sanders. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 14, 2003, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389 "2003-07-14T15:11:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/1 "2003-07-14T15:11:53Z")
[http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2003/0714/1580339.html](http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2003/0714/1580339.html) Just is just appalling. “Neon” Deion Sanders is being sued by an auto repair shop for a bill he hasn’t paid in full from 2001. The bill was for $4,265.57, but he says the Good Lord told him to only pay $1,500.00. > [@](#): > > Sanders had approved and Montoya had approved all the repairs, according to the lawsuit. But when the car was returned to the CBS sportscaster’s home in Plano on Nov. 5, 2001, Compton said Pilar Sanders, the former Cowboy’s wife, "answered the door, took the keys and invoices, started the car to make sure it was working and went back into the locked house, refusing to return the keys or invoices.’’ > Sanders’ bodyguards and housekeepers then moved their cars in front of and behind the Lincoln so that it couldn’t be towed back to the garage, the lawsuit stated. > When Sanders drove up, he refused to pay the invoice amount, handing Compton a $1,500 check and saying, "Praise Jesus … I follow what in my heart I’m told to pay.’’ This reminds me of the deal the Redskins had with Sean Gilbert a few years back. They were offering him a contract for $4 million a year, but he sat out because God had told him to accept no less than $4.5 million. The greed I’m seeing in some of these sports stars is really beginning to make me ill. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/2 "2003-07-14T15:13:26Z")
Dammit! That was supposed to read “Just **Ask** Deion Sanders”. ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/3 "2003-07-14T15:47:29Z")
Why is it that when someone says “Jesus told me …” it’s always going to be something that’s bad for the hearer, but good for the speaker? Does Jesus ever tell these people to pay **more** for a service than the figure required? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/4 "2003-07-14T15:52:12Z")
As if thanking God for winning the game wasn’t silly enough… ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/5 "2003-07-14T17:17:48Z")
Well, after reading the article here: [http://www.benmaller.com/archives/rumorsnotes/2003\_07\_13\_rumorsnotesarch.shtml](http://www.benmaller.com/archives/rumorsnotes/2003_07_13_rumorsnotesarch.shtml), I think Jesus told Deion that he was getting royally shafted. The bill was apparently for 33 hours of labor, $400 worth of parts and $75.00 worth of towing. They replaced the radiator, the starter, rebuilt the carbuerator, fooled around with the electrical system, replaced gaskets and hoses, and “drained contaminated fuel.” Not only doesn’t that sound like $4.2K worth of work, but it’s a baffling combination of repairs for a car that was apparently running previously. (You only replace the starter if it’s bad, but then, what would that have to do with the cooling system or the fuel system? And how does fuel get contaminated?) Even if the bill is legit, do mechanics really get paid $100+/hour? Now obviously I haven’t seen the original estimate, but it sounds to me like someone was padding the bill. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/6 "2003-07-14T18:10:28Z")
The repairs were for a '61 Continental. Sounds like from the description it had sat idle for awhile. This likely was a collection of problems that had built up and not one that kept him from a daily driving routine. Here’s what I’d have a problem with… “Sanders had approved and Montoya had approved all the repairs, according to the lawsuit.” Giving him the okay but then blaming Jesus for reneging on the deal is bullcrap. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/7 "2003-07-14T18:58:34Z")
Upon reread, I’m pretty close with Finagle on this. They might have agreed on what needed repairing but I’ve not seen mention of an estimate as of yet. Lets say parts came to around $750. For 33 hours labor Montoya is charging $106/hour whereas Sanders wants to pay 22.75. What’s legit is probably somewhere in that vast middle. ---
**Author:** ![NutWrench](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nutwrench/32/20193_2.png) [@NutWrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutWrench)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/8 "2003-07-14T19:10:55Z")
Jesus tells me that Deion Sanders is an asshat. ---
**Author:** ![NutWrench](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nutwrench/32/20193_2.png) [@NutWrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutWrench)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/9 "2003-07-14T19:13:00Z")
$145/hr for labor is ridiculous, though. ---
**Author:** ![fruitbat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@fruitbat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fruitbat)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/10 "2003-07-14T19:38:08Z")
The one thing you can say for Deion is that he goes asshat in style. I can’t imagine anyone else having the chutzpah to contest a lawsuit with the imaginative Jesus told me so defense. That being said I hope damages are tripled. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/11 "2003-07-14T20:19:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Revtim \* > \*\*As if thanking God for winning the game wasn’t silly enough… \*\* That always amuses me. What would it mean if the other team agreed? We would have won if Jesus didn’t make me fumble. The jerk. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/12 "2003-07-14T21:04:35Z")
\_Is_ “God told me so” a defense? It didn’t work for Jesus.\ ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/13 "2003-07-14T22:03:50Z")
Wow. Here I was about to get all indignant about this, until I read about the estimate. Sounds like the mechanic saw an opprotunity to make a quick buck off of someone he saw as a sucker. Or someone he didn’t feel would have the time or interest in actually looking at the bill. You know the mechanic will win because Mr. Jesus-spoke-to-me didn’t fullfill his end of the agreement but at least the mechanic is going to have to pay some legal fees in the process of giving him the shaft. Everybody wins and Jesus is happy. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/14 "2003-07-14T22:50:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NutWrench \* > \*\*$145/hr for labor is ridiculous, though. \*\* It might be to you, and you’re free to take your business elsewhere, but if that was that was the published shop rate then there must be a very good reason to charge it, and anyone who contracts to have work performed in said shop is obligated to pay it. I don’t hire lawyers in excess of $150.00 per hour either. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/15 "2003-07-15T13:45:47Z")
Jesus to Deion’s heart: “You know what you need to pay? You need to pay some fucking attention to the law asshole.” ---
**Author:** ![Marine\_One](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marine_one/32/3461_2.png) [@Marine\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marine_One)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/16 "2003-07-15T13:52:49Z")
“I’d like to thank Satan, Prince of Darkness, for letting me score that winning touchdown!” “Without HIM, I’m nothing!” “Hail, Satan, I serve you!!” Just waiting for some guy to say this on TV… ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/17 "2003-07-15T14:43:17Z")
Looks like Jesus gave Sanders good advice. [Judge rules in favor of Deion Sanders in lawsuit over repair bill](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/07/14/sports2019EDT0452.DTL) From the article: > [@](#): > > During the one-day trial, a representative for Sanders testified that he told Compton there was a $1,500 ceiling on the cost of repairs. > > “I’m not hurting for money. And let’s be honest. A $4,000 bill, I could have written a check a long time ago,” Sanders said. “But it’s the principle. I’m tired of getting ripped off.” ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/18 "2003-07-15T14:51:45Z")
And from [this site](http://benmaller.com/rumorsnotes.shtml). > [@](#): > > Deion Sanders scored a touchdown in Dallas County civil court Monday when a judge ruled that he did not have to pay more than $1,500 in a lawsuit over a 2001 car repair bill. Mr. Sanders, now an NFL studio analyst for CBS, denied that he ever said anything more than “God bless you” to Phil Compton, Magrathea’s owner, when the car was delivered to his Plano home Nov. 5, 2001. He said his refusal to pay the larger amount had nothing to do with his spiritual calling. Instead, he said, he felt he was being taken advantage of because he is a sports celebrity. ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/19 "2003-07-15T14:59:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marine\_One \* > \*\*“I’d like to thank Satan, Prince of Darkness, for letting me score that winning touchdown!” > > “Without HIM, I’m nothing!” > > “Hail, Satan, I serve you!!” > > Just waiting for some guy to say this on TV… \*\* Or thanks to [Jah](http://www.rastafarian.net/) after some Trail **blazer** makes a winning basket in the NBA playoffs. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389/20 "2003-07-15T15:30:15Z")
I want to say that Phil Compton, who did the repairs to Deions car, was on the radio this morning. I know Phil as he has done work on my fathers Rolls on occaision. Phil said that the car came to him on a flat-bed truck and **was not** in running condition. Where the $1500 number came from is it was a number Phil had given Deions entourage for replacing the radiator. The radiator wasn’t the only problem with the car and when other issues where brought forward, Phil was told “just fix it”. Granted $145/hr for labour is expensive, but the quality of the work that his shop does is great, this isn’t some greasy guy named Dwayne working out of his garage. I lost the last little bit of respect that I may have held for Deion with this incident. I may have to read the bible just to see where Jesus says it is okay to screw people. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwjd-just-as-deion-sanders/188389.md?page=2)