National Football League

Report: Deion Sanders getting a divorce

Published Dec. 17, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders said Saturday he and his wife of 12 years, Pilar Biggers-Sanders, were getting a divorce.

In a statement to entertainment website TMZ, the eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback said, "Pilar and I have decided to end our marriage and move on to the next phase of our individual lives with mutual respect.

"We are friends and our top priority has and will continue to be the well-being of our children.

"We arrived at this decision prayerfully and carefully in order to be able to pursue what is in both of our best personal interests."

The pair were married in 1999 and have three children.

It was the second marriage for Sanders, who won the Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. The 44-year-old was previously married to Carolyn Chambers, and they have two children together.