Lil Wayne Honors Deion Sanders, Nick Saban and More Sports Stars on 'Tha Carter VI'

Legendary rapper Lil Wayne paid homage to the sports world Friday with the release of his new album Tha Carter VI.

Several football and basketball stars were mentioned in some of Lil Wayne's newest songs, including current University of Colorado head football coach and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders on "Written History."

Lil Wayne also shouted out former LSU and Alabama head football coach and seven-time national champion Nick Saban on "Written History."

Perhaps Wayne's most meaningful name-drop was that of Los Angeles Lakers legend Jerry West, who died at the age of 86 last year.

Wayne, who is a longtime Lakers fan, included West in "Welcome to Tha Carter" with the line: "Thanks for shoppin' at Tha Carter, where the verses stay fresh, yes. Rest in peace, Jerry West. But this is where the peace never rests."

West was a 14-time All-Star, one-time NBA champion and one-time NBA Finals MVP during his playing career, and he went on to win eight more titles as an executive with the Lakers and Golden State Warriors.

Hall of Fame guard Gary Payton, who is referenced in "Rari," is technically a Lakers nod as well since he played for them during the 2003-04 season, although he is best known for his 13 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics.

Another Basketball Hall of Famer, Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller, made the album as well on the song "Hip-Hop."

Wayne mentioned the infamous "choke" celebration Miller made during the Pacers' playoff series win over the New York Knicks in 1995. Current Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton mimicked the celebration against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals this year, and Indiana went on to reach the NBA Finals.

Along with college football and the NBA, Lil Wayne worked the NFL into his album. Although he is a diehard Green Bay Packers fan, Wayne acknowledged Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua in "Mula Komin In."