Deion Sanders Tackles Reality Series

Former National Football League and Major Baseball League star Deion Sanders will step onto the reality series field as host of a new Veria TV series focusing on the lives of young athletes.

The series, Sports Dads, will examine the emotional and physical pressures talented 11 to 14 year old kids face to perform on the field, as well as the role of fathers who push their kids to become superstar athletes, according to officials of the health and lifestyles network. Sanders, the only player will host the new series and mentor aspiring athletes to future success and happiness.

"This show is about real, down-to-earth kids in the heart of America, who have spent the better part of their childhood training to become mega athletes, facing pressure from their sports-obsessed parents and coaches," says Veria TV general manager Hal Rosenberg in a statement. "We are thrilled to be working with Deion Sanders for this sidelines glimpse into the child athlete culture that shows just how tough it is to be well-rounded when sports become the central focus in your life. It's the start of a whole new set of cutting edge, fun programming we plan to launch this year that will inspire people to live life to the fullest."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.