Embodiments of the invention are generally directed driving data of multiple protocols through a single set of pins. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a transmitter connected to two pads on an IC, the transmitter including a differential driver to transmit a differential signal, wherein the differential driver has a first branch and a second branch, each branch of the differential driver including a protection device connected to one of the pads; and a common mode driver to transmit a common mode signal, the common mode driver having a first branch and a second branch, each of the branches of the common mode driver including a protection device connected to one of the pads. The first and second switch devices are not turned on simultaneously, based on data to be transmitted, one of the switch devices being turned on and the other being turned off. The third and fourth switch devices are both turned on when the common mode signal is one of a logic HIGH or logic LOW and both turned off when the common mode signal is the other of a logic HIGH or logic LOW.