Deion is a complete self-creation who was a decade ahead of his time in generating his own hype. I think he's an exceptional athlete who improves his skills and tactics and is a supportive teammate when the red light is off.
But take anything he says or does in public with a big ol' salt lick.
If Deion was speaking from the heart, then I think he's living in the past. There are a lot fewer walking soundbites than there were during his era. Kids These Days are a lot more risk-averse than when he was running picks into the endzone. Nowdays, it seems like everyone as a whole is still competitive, but less edgy and attention-seeking.