Deion Sanders has never been one to shy away from the spotlight - whether it’s on the field, on the sidelines, or in front of a microphone. But during Super Bowl week, the Colorado Buffaloes head coach got personal, opening up about a tough chapter for his family: the NFL journey of his sons, Shedeur and Shilo Sanders.
Both brothers were part of the 2025 NFL Draft class, but their paths couldn’t have been more different. Shedeur, the younger of the two and a former standout quarterback under his father at Colorado, was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. Shilo, a hard-hitting safety with a physical edge to his game, went undrafted but later signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent.
That opportunity didn’t last long.
Shilo’s stint in Tampa Bay was cut short after an incident during a preseason game in which he punched Buffalo Bills tight end Zach Davidson. The altercation led to an ejection, a $4,669 fine from the league, and ultimately his release from the team. It was a moment that clearly stung - not just for Shilo, but for the entire Sanders family.
Speaking on First Take during Super Bowl week, Deion addressed the situation with a mix of honesty and fatherly pride.
“It was tough for the Sanders family,” he said. “Both of my daughters, Shilo getting cut.
He went out swinging … I gotta give him that. He went out swinging literally.”
That last line - part joke, part truth - captures the complicated nature of Shilo’s exit. Yes, it was a disciplinary issue.
But it also reflected the fiery edge that’s always defined his game. For better or worse, Shilo doesn’t back down from a challenge.
After being cut in August, Shilo cleared waivers and remained unsigned throughout the 2025 season. In the months since, he’s hinted at exploring other paths beyond football.
“I’ve been talking to my agent, and we’re waiting on the next opportunity,” Shilo said. “If that’s the NFL, cool. But God’s blessed me with a lot of talents to do other things other than play football.”
That openness to life beyond the gridiron may be part necessity, part personal growth. Either way, it’s clear Shilo is keeping his options open - and that the door to the NFL, while not closed, is currently ajar at best.
Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders’ rookie campaign with the Browns was a rollercoaster. He started seven games, finishing with a 3-4 record. His stat line - 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions - reflected the growing pains of a young quarterback adjusting to the speed and complexity of the pro game.
Still, being drafted at all is an achievement. But for Deion, the fact that Shedeur slid to the fifth round left a bitter taste - one that’s still lingering.
Asked if he’d ever consider coaching in the NFL, Deion didn’t mince words.
“Not whatsoever,” he said. “What transpired with my son last year, there ain’t no way in the world.”
That stance speaks volumes. For Deion, coaching isn’t just about X’s and O’s - it’s about protecting and empowering his players, especially when those players share his last name. And after what he saw as a draft-day slight to Shedeur, he’s made it clear: the NFL isn’t getting Coach Prime anytime soon.
For now, Deion remains at Colorado, where he continues to shape a program - and a family legacy - on his own terms. As for Shedeur and Shilo, their NFL journeys are still being written.
One is battling through the ups and downs of a rookie season. The other is waiting for a second chance - or perhaps a new chapter altogether.
Either way, the Sanders name isn’t fading from the football conversation anytime soon.