Former Dallas Cowboys football player Deion Sanders thanks God for keeping safe amid death threats

Former Dallas Cowboys football star Deion Sanders says, 'It's OK to lose friends,money & things but don't ever lose HOPE!' (Instagram/Deion Sanders)

Former Dallas Cowboys football star Deion Sanders has alleged attempts to hurt and even kill him, and the Christian athlete is crediting God's grace for keeping him safe and sound.

On his Instagram account (@deionsanders), Sanders posted a photo of himself smiling from to ear to ear as he drove a speedboat.

He captions the photo, "God was there when many of [you] talked about me, doubted me, lied on me, cheated me, turned your back on me, bet against me, hated me, stole from me and tried to kill me physically and verbally. That's why I praise Him like there's no tomorrow!"

Sanders did not provide any extra details about his allegations, but according to The Christian Post, those might have something to do with the Dallas-based Prime Prep Academy, which Sanders owns. It was shut down last January due to lack of funding.

The school's custodian, Reginald Hall, suspects negative reports were created to hurt Sanders. "You have a lot of people who want to do this [to] spite Deion Sanders, and this isn't about Deion Sanders, this is about the kids," Hall told The Dallas Morning News. "You want to do something to shut Deion down, but you're not thinking about these kids and what they are going through. A lot of kids don't even talk to Deion. They are here to get an education."

Meanwhile, Sanders posted another inspirational message on his social media account. He shared a text photo which reads, "Stay the course. Keep believing. You may be tired, discouraged and frustrated, but don't give up on your future. Our God is faithful."

He explains in his caption that there's so many people who could have succeeded, if only they knew "just how close they were to the breakthrough, the blessing, the dream, and the peace and joy they prayed for."

"It's OK to lose friends, money [and] things, but don't ever lose HOPE!" he adds.

News
A brief history of Christmas bans
A brief history of Christmas bans

These days, Christmas is hard to miss and nearly impossible to avoid. But at various times it has been banned in different countries, including Britain. This is the story …

Organisers of Christmas evangelistic campaign thrilled with impact
Organisers of Christmas evangelistic campaign thrilled with impact

Organisers of this year's Shine Your Light Christmas evangelistic outreach have been "overwhelmed" by the response from local churches.

Reach out to others, says Salvation Army, as 1.8 million Brits set to spend Christmas Day alone
Reach out to others, says Salvation Army, as 1.8 million Brits set to spend Christmas Day alone

People are being urged to reach out after polling suggested 1.8 million UK adults will spend Christmas Day alone, even though they do not want to.

Another Christmas in hardship for Gaza church
Another Christmas in hardship for Gaza church

For Christians sheltering in the Holy Family parish in Gaza, there will be few comforts this Christmas.