Picture this: A legendary NFL Hall of Famer nervously checking his phone every hour, calling his son three times in one day, knowing he can’t be there for one of the biggest moments of his life.
That’s Deion Sanders today, Friday, August 8, as his quarterback son, Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders, prepares to play his first NFL preseason game.
How Many Times Did Deion Sanders Call His Son Today?
Deion Sanders revealed he had spoken with Shedeur Sanders three times on the day of the young quarterback’s highly anticipated NFL preseason debut.
With Shedeur set to start for the Cleveland Browns in their opening 2025 preseason game against the Carolina Panthers Friday evening, emotions are running high, especially for Deion, who admits it will feel “a little strange” not being there in person to support his son on the field.
Deion Sanders said he’s talked with Shedeur Sanders three times today, ahead of Sanders’ first NFL preseason game, which will feel “a little strange” for Deion not being there with his son.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) August 8, 2025
Deion Sanders, also known as “Coach Prime,” built his reputation through his outspoken personality and his transformative impact on every program he touches.
After his remarkable success at HBCU Jackson State, where he turned the Tigers into a powerhouse with back-to-back SWAC championships, Sanders took over as the head coach for the Colorado Buffaloes in December 2022.
Now, his focus shifts from coaching to simply being a dad watching from afar.
Why Did Shedeur Sanders Fall to the Fifth Round?
Shedeur Sanders shocked the football world this year when he fell dramatically in the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite being predicted to go much earlier by most draft analysts, he slid all the way down to a fifth-round pick before the Browns finally selected him. The slide left many questioning what teams saw that others missed.
#Browns Shedeur Sanders on why he doesn’t want his dad Deion to come to practice yet: pic.twitter.com/wGVa5M9e2R
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 4, 2025
However, the Browns clearly saw something special. While initially listed as the No. 4 quarterback on Cleveland’s depth chart, Sanders has earned the starting nod for tonight’s preseason opener. This unexpected opportunity gives him the perfect platform to prove doubters wrong and showcase the skills that made him a standout at Colorado.
Sanders’s journey to the NFL parallels his father’s career transformation. He rose to prominence as the starting quarterback under Deion at Colorado, where his father’s leadership and football wisdom helped shape his talent and football IQ.
The father-son dynamic created one of college football’s most compelling storylines, with Sanders thriving under the intense spotlight that follows the Prime family everywhere they go.
What Makes This Father-Son Bond So Unique?
Despite Sanders’s draft-day disappointment, the Browns recognized enough potential to hand him this early preseason opportunity. That faith speaks volumes about what the organization sees in the young quarterback during practice and meetings.
Tonight’s game against Carolina, kicking off at 7 p.m. ET Friday night, represents Sanders’s chance to rewrite the narrative about his NFL potential.
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Meanwhile, Deion finds himself in uncharted territory. After years of coaching, mentoring, and directly influencing his son’s career, he must now step back and trust the foundation they built together. Those three phone calls today reveal the natural anxiety any father feels, even one as confident and successful as Coach Prime.
As the Cleveland Browns take the field against the Panthers, all eyes will focus on Sanders to see if he can transform draft-day disappointment into opportunity.
For Deion Sanders, watching from Colorado, and fans across the country, this preseason game marks the beginning of what could become an inspiring NFL journey for a young quarterback determined to prove that talent and preparation matter more than draft position.
