Colorado football coach Deion Sanders is breaking his silence after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released his son, Shilo Sanders. The NFL decision comes after Shilo, who signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent, was ejected for throwing a punch during a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.
“We’re praying that he gets another opportunity to go with a team, but if he doesn’t, the plans have already been put forward to what he’s going to do next,” Deion shared at a news conference in Boulder on August 26.
The Sanders family is no stranger to the spotlight, and Deion made it clear his son won’t be left out to dry. “So, Shilo is 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. You better believe that. I take care of mine, and I always have. And y’all know what I mean.”
Shilo Sanders’ Rocky NFL Path
At just 25, Shilo Sanders’ NFL dream already hit a speed bump. The former Colorado safety was released less than a month after joining the Buccaneers. His release followed that heated preseason incident where emotions spilled over on the field.
Despite this setback, Shilo’s time at Colorado proves he has the talent. He led the team in tackles in 2023 and ranked third in 2024—even after missing three games due to a broken forearm. His defensive presence on the field made him a key part of Deion’s program during their Colorado run.
Shilo’s journey also highlights how undrafted free agents face slim margins. One slip-up can shift their NFL futures overnight. But as his father emphasized, football isn’t the only lane Shilo can thrive in.
Beyond the NFL: Shilo’s Other Paths
Though Deion hasn’t revealed specific plans, he hinted that Shilo has options outside football. The young safety has already shown interest in acting and may stay tied to Colorado football in some role. After all, the Sanders family has turned football into a multimedia empire.
Deion Jr. documents his dad’s program as a videographer, Shedeur Sanders plays quarterback and just secured a rookie deal with the Cleveland Browns, and Deion himself continues to shift the culture at Colorado.
Deion’s message was clear: whether in Hollywood, football, or another career, Shilo’s future won’t be defined by one NFL cut.