When you’re the son of Deion Sanders and the brother of Shedeur Sanders, opinions tend to carry a little extra weight. So when Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie defensive back Shilo Sanders dropped his list of the top five safeties in NFL history, the reaction was swift — and heated. Sanders, who’s trying to carve out his own identity in the league, made it clear these rankings were personal. But the names he included — and those he left off — sparked immediate controversy.
Breaking Down Shilo Sanders’ List: Hall of Famers, Current Stars, and One Wild Card
Sanders’ list blended Hall of Fame legends with a few current standouts and one especially polarizing name. Some fans appreciated the boldness. Others questioned whether he’d even watched a film from before 2010. Either way, the post had everyone talking about the greats at the safety position — and where Sanders sees himself among them one day.
Here’s the list that sparked the debate:
- Ed Reed
- Ryan Clark
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson
- Troy Polamalu
- Jessie Bates
Wild: Bucs rookie DB Shilo Sanders ranks his Top 5 safeties in NFL history:
1) Ed Reed
2) Ryan Clark
3) C.J. Gardner-Johnson
4) Troy Polamalu
5) Jessie Bates😬😬😬 pic.twitter.com/kVceZUyxRK
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman)
There’s no issue with Reed at No. 1. The former Ravens star is widely regarded as one of the greatest ballhawks of all time, with five All Pros, nine Pro Bowls, 64 career interceptions, and a place in Canton to prove it. Same goes for Polamalu, the Steelers’ iconic game-wrecker who redefined the position with his instincts, explosiveness, and creativity. He also has a gold jacket and two Super Bowl rings.
Gardner-Johnson and Bates, meanwhile, are both still in the thick of their careers, but they’ve already built reputations as versatile, disruptive playmakers. Gardner-Johnson can line up nearly anywhere in the secondary and thrives in chaos. Bates has quietly become one of the NFL’s most consistent back-end defenders, first with the Cincinnati Bengals, then the Atlanta Falcons.
But Ryan Clark at No. 2? That’s where you wonder about Sanders’ motives. Maybe he’s trying to get booked on Clark’s popular “The Pivot” podcast? The safety was a steady presence during his 13-year career, especially with Pittsburgh’s 2008 Super Bowl-winning defense. He was tough, disciplined, and known for his communication — something even Polamalu publicly credited as key to his own success. Still, Clark made just one Pro Bowl, and any NFL fan with a brain doesn’t associate his name with “all-time great” status.
NFL Fans Roast Sanders on X: ‘This Shilo Tragedy Is Worse Than Shiloh Hendrix’
But as one NFL fan pointed out, “Some of y’all crying but keyword is ‘his’ girls and boys. That’s HIS top safety list. Some of y’all gotta chill.”
Other fans weren’t as nice. Clark’s inclusion and Polamalu’s placement at No. 4 drew the most heat: “If Ryan Clark is better than Troy Polamalu I’m a Martian,” an X user responded.
“Ryan Clark. Are you F kidding me?” one commented.
“Terrible list. Ryan Clark isn’t even top 50, and having Polamalu at 4th instead of second is damn disrespectful. This Shilo tragedy is worse than Shiloh Hendrix,” another X user wrote, referring to a White woman who appeared to hurl a racist slur at a Black austic child in a now-viral video.
For some, the list was less about outrage and more about confusion regarding Sanders’ football perspective.
“So, he is saying he isn’t that into football? LOL,” one sarcastic fan commented.
Others focused on the glaring omissions from his list, calling out the absence of some of the most feared safeties in league history.
“Leaving off the likes of Steve Atwater, Ronnie Lott, Paul Krause, John Lynch, Brian Dawkins and so many more … for new people, and a guy who shouldn’t ever be on the list in Ryan Clark,” one reply read.
Another added, “Ed Reed top tier. Ronnie Lott not being on this list is a sin.”
Some fans kept the criticism tongue-in-cheek — mocking Sanders’ football acumen or suggesting ulterior motives.
“Seems as slow as his brother(s). I can see why Bucs drafted him,” one fan joked.
“His father should correct him on this. If not, he shares the shame of it,” another commented.
Sanders may not have changed the historical rankings, but he started a conversation. Whether his list was meant to troll, promote, or pay homage, he’s already making noise before he’s played a snap in the NFL.
