Deion Sanders was back on the NFL sidelines Sunday, this time not in pads or a headset, but as a proud father. The Hall of Famer and current Colorado Buffaloes head coach was in Buffalo to support his son, Shedeur Sanders, ahead of the Cleveland Browns’ Week 16 matchup against the Bills. And he wasn’t alone - actress and model Karrueche Tran joined him on the sideline, continuing a relationship that’s been quietly growing since the summer.
Cleveland sports reporter Ashly Holder captured the moment on video, showing Deion and Tran sharing smiles during pregame warmups. The two stood near the Browns’ sideline, bundled up against the December chill, waiting for Shedeur to come over.
Deion, always one for a signature look, rocked a fur jacket and brown pants. Tran kept it cozy with a long brown coat and a black hoodie - a practical fit for a frigid AFC North afternoon.
The relationship between Sanders and Tran has been public since July, when she appeared in the documentary For Your Glory, which chronicled Deion’s battle with bladder cancer. She was by his side during surgery and recovery, offering support through a deeply personal chapter of his life. That bond has clearly carried over into football season, with Tran now showing up for the moments that matter most - like Shedeur’s NFL journey.
Before kickoff, father and son shared a moment that’s becoming familiar to Browns fans. Deion pulled Shedeur in for a quick huddle of their own - not to call a play, but to deliver some words of encouragement. It was a classic pregame pep talk from one of the game’s greats to his son, who’s trying to carve out his own path at the next level.
Shedeur, now starting his fifth game since taking over for Dillon Gabriel in Week 11, has shown flashes of promise, but it’s been a learning curve. Through Week 16, he’s completed 72 of 138 passes for 946 yards and five touchdowns. He’s also added a rushing touchdown and 74 yards on the ground, but ball security has been an issue - seven turnovers have stalled some drives and raised questions about consistency.
Still, this is a quarterback who’s used to proving people wrong. After a strong 2024 season at Colorado - where he led the Buffaloes to a 9-4 record - Sanders entered the draft with first-round buzz.
But that hype didn’t hold, and he slid to the fifth round, with the Browns taking him after drafting Gabriel in the third. It was a humbling draft day, but it also gave Shedeur the kind of chip-on-the-shoulder motivation that Deion himself thrived on during his playing days.
Now, Shedeur’s getting his shot. And with his father watching from the sideline, bundled up in fur and pride, it’s clear that no matter what happens on the field, he’s got a Hall of Fame support system behind him - and someone who knows exactly what it takes to make it in this league.