Deion Sanders is a fighter who recently won a private battle with bladder cancer, a struggle he intentionally kept hidden so it wouldn’t overshadow his son Shedeur’s NFL draft prospects.
Now, Coach Prime says he’s cancer-free, but he admits he’s not healed from the sting of what he calls the “historic” draft-day drop his son experienced, leaving him with a different kind of pain that has yet to subside.
Deion Sanders Airs His Grievances With the NFL Draft
In a recent appearance on the “Say What Needs to be Said” show with Asante Samuel, Sanders voiced his frustrations with the NFL draft process. He took issue with what he sees as contradictory logic from teams that devalued Shedeur from a potential top-five pick to a fifth-rounder, especially when it came to questions about Deion’s own coaching.
“So, if the question is, can I win without my son? My son had to be really darn good, huh?” Sanders asked rhetorically. “Four receivers are in training camps right now from last year’s (Colorado) team.”
“So, four (receivers),” Sanders emphasized. “But this one (Shedeur Sanders) couldn’t play the position.”
The elder Sanders remains perplexed about the reasoning behind his son’s fall, suggesting he received clear communication from teams that he wasn’t the issue. “Like, come on, man. Is it character or what was it? Like, wasn’t me,” Sanders said, referring to his discussions with team personnel.
“I talked to both owners as well as both head coaches. So, and the GM. So, if we had a clear understanding. So it wasn’t me.”
The disappointment continues to weigh heavily on him. “That’s one thing I’m not healed from yet,” Sanders admitted. “I’m healed from cancer, but I’m not healed from that yet … Like it’s heavy. Yeah, I’m really heavy right now.”
Despite his father’s lingering sadness over the draft, Shedeur Sanders seems to be taking the situation in stride. He has maintained a professional and cordial demeanor with the press, actively participating in fan and community outreach. So far, he has not shown any outward bitterness or resentment about his tumble to the fifth round.
On the field, the Shedeur has been getting limited opportunities. He mostly takes reps with the third-team offense and only occasionally works with the second team. His position has led to questions about whether he will make the final roster, let alone compete for the starting job.
However, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has praised Shedeur’s work ethic. He noted that the rookie is working hard and learning a great deal from veteran quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.
The Browns are set to open their preseason schedule against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
