NFL Has Brutal 'Parting Gift' For Shilo Sanders After Preseason Finale

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Aug 30, 2025 4:51 PM ET

You've got to hand it to defensive back Shilo Sanders: He's making history in the NFL even when he's not playing in it.

The son of Deion Sanders was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the team's final 53-man roster cuts and went unclaimed on waivers and practice squad additions. He has already hinted on his YouTube channel that he's considering changing careers entirely.

But Sanders' final play of the preseason saw him punch Buffalo Bills tight end Zach Davidson during and after the play. A flag was thrown and Sanders was ejected for his actions.

While it's been a week since that play, the NFL decided on its punishment today. Per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Sanders has been fined $4,669 for throwing a punch on the field. Ironically, Davidson didn't make the Bills' final roster cuts either.

"A real punch: NFL is fining former Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders $4,669 for punching another player and being ejected from last Saturday night’s preseason game against Buffalo. Sanders wound up being released shortly after and has not been signed to another NFL team," Schefter wrote.

A real punch: NFL is fining former Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders $4,669 for punching another player and being ejected from last Saturday night’s preseason game against Buffalo. Sanders wound up being released shortly after and has not been signed to another NFL team. pic.twitter.com/s6NFjrN50o
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2025

That feels like a first or at least a rarity. It's hard to recall an NFL player who OWED money to the NFL, rather than the other way around.

Aug 9, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders (28) looks on during a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Shilo Sanders' past and future

Shilo Sanders played six years of college football, two at South Carolina, two at Jackson State under his father and his final two at Colorado.

Sanders was a solid tackler for the Buffaloes, recording 137 tackles, three tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns for them. But he also dealt with a handful of injuries and struggled in coverage, seldom winning any acclaim for his skills in the defensive backfield.

He ultimately went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft but was given his shot at making the team as a UDFA by the Bucs.

You can never really say never in the NFL, but being cut as a UDFA and immediately changing career paths doesn’t exactly set the stage for Shilo to become the next great NFL safety.

The final piece of in-game film that NFL general managers are going to see in the future is him being ejected for punching Davidson.

Have we seen the last of Shilo Sanders playing in the NFL?

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

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