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Deion Sanders Addresses Son Shilo's NFL Career Setback

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 4:47 PM ET

Deion Sanders isn't worried about how Shilo Sanders will navigate his NFL roster cut.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released Shilo Sanders before Tuesday's 53-man roster deadline. Signed as an undrafted free agent, the rookie safety was ejected from Saturday's final preseason game after throwing a punch at Buffalo Bills tight end Zach Davidson.

Asked about his son's setback on Tuesday, Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders said he's equipped his children to handle adversity.

"I’m proud of my kids, all of them," Deion told reporters. "And I’ve prepared my kids for any and everything that could possibly happen, in life and in sports. That’s part of fathering. That’s part of parenting. That’s part of having a relationship, so he is mentally where he needs to be."

'He's gonna be straight'

Like many other players this time of year, Shilo Sanders will seek a roster spot elsewhere. The 25-year-old could join a practice squad in hopes of an opportunity arising.

While Coach Prime hopes his son gets a second chance, he's confident Shilo will find his way in life, even if it's off the gridiron.

"We’re praying that he gets another opportunity to go with a team," Deion continued. "But if he doesn’t, the plans have already been put forward to what he’s going to do next. Shilo’s a man of many talents. I don’t know if you guys know, he’s a man of many talents, and he’s gonna be straight. All the Sanders are gonna be straight, with or without football. You better believe that."

Shilo Sanders' upward climb to an NFL spot

Shilo led his father's Buffaloes defense with 70 tackles during the 2023 season, forcing four fumbles and returning a pick-six during a standout junior year. The South Carolina transfer notched 67 tackles and a sack as a senior, recovering a fumble for a touchdown in Colorado's 41-27 win at Texas Tech.

Even as he went undrafted, Shilo supported Shedeur Sanders when his younger brother unexpectedly slid to the fifth round. Shilo then signed with Tampa Bay, fighting to make a team that's won back-to-back NFC South titles.

"The Bucs was the first team to call and they gave me a chance before anyone," Shilo said in May. "So I'm forever grateful to the Buccaneers, and I'm just going to do everything I can to help this team win -- everything in my power to help this team win -- and that's all I want."

Like all undrafted rookies, Shilo faced an uphill climb to snag a 53-man roster spot. Saturday's ejection likely didn't help his cause, but Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio said the defensive back was "immediately remorseful" about the incident. The Buccaneers reportedly haven't ruled out bringing him back to the practice squad.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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