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Back in February, Tracey Edmonds shared that she and NFL legend Deion Sanders were engaged after eight years together and dealing with all sorts of ups and downs (including his battles with ex-wife Pilar Sanders and exposing their relationship on reality TV).

In a new podcast conversation on Journeys of Faith with Paula Faris, Sanders sat down with his bishop, named Omar, as well as with ABC News correspondent Faris, to talk about the journey he has been on not only with his faith, but also when it comes to his relationship. He opened up about the engagement news on the podcast, which premieres Wednesday, March 27, and said the world actually found out about it quite a while after he initially popped the question.

“I think the world got in a little late,” he said. “It happened you know, on the first of the month, actually. But I think she disclosed it probably a month later. Yeah, it’s been a while ago. It’s a blessing.”

When asked why after eight years he finally decided to propose, Sanders said it was a number of factors. That included  growth, distance, and their kids.

“Well, kids play a major role,” he said. “I didn’t believe in long-distance marriages, number one. Number two, her kids graduate – her youngest son – graduates this year. My son, who lives with me, my other two live with their mother. He’s a sophomore now, so he has two more years. So just thinking all that through, walking all that through and making sure we do the right thing, because I don’t believe in long distance, so there’s gonna have to be sacrifices made on both sides. And oftentimes one is not willing to make sacrifices, but one must grow.”

Both parties have, of course, said “I do” before, and they’ve done so in grand fashion. However, expensive and over-the-top ceremonies didn’t make their past relationships last. Therefore, when Sanders was asked about the idea of doing another big wedding, he shut down the idea for something a lot more simple.

“Oh no, we don’t need to have a big wedding. We’ve done that, both of us have done that. Been there done that,” he said. “I wouldn’t give a darn if it’s just me, her and Pastor [Omar]. Then we straight. In the country, and we go fishing right afterward [laughter]. She wouldn’t like that but I would love it.”

As previously mentioned, Sanders has been married in the past, including to Pilar Sanders from 1999 to 2013, and to Carolyn Chambers from 1989 to 1998. Edmonds was engaged to Eddie Murphy in 2008 and married to Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds from 1992 to 2005. Edmonds and Sanders have dated since 2012.

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