The Sanders family went through a turbulent stretch leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. With high expectations surrounding the entire family, Shedeur and Shilo, sons of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, ultimately achieved their dream of reaching the NFL.
However, the path was different than what most had anticipated.
As the months-long media frenzy surrounding the Sanders family finally concluded, Deion shared a heartfelt and reflective message on Instagram. Coach Prime offered words of encouragement to his sons as they get set to begin their professional journeys in the NFL.
Deion Sanders Shares Reflective Message After NFL Draft
Since his playing days, Sanders has always been one of the most media-driven figures in the NFL. Known as “Primetime,” Sanders was a superstar on and off the field, embracing the spotlight and carrying himself like a true icon. That larger-than-life persona has followed him into his coaching career.
It was in this media-heavy environment that his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, grew up, constantly under the spotlight throughout their football careers. In fact, their journey stands out as one of the most high-profile cases of exposure we’ve seen in the sport, even before reaching the NFL.
For Shedeur, the spotlight was even more intense. From his days at Jackson State, where he formed a quarterback–head coach duo with his father, to his rise at Colorado, where he developed into one of the top-ranked prospects in the draft.
However, rumors surrounding his alleged arrogance off the field took off as more teams passed on drafting him. Shedeur was eventually selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. Nonetheless, his dramatic fall quickly became the biggest storyline of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Being a big storyline means dealing with intense media scrutiny and facing public attention. That certainly came true for the entire Sanders family during the draft. A video went viral of multiple college students, including the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, making a fake phone call to Shedeur. In the call, the boys acted as personnel of the New Orleans Saints and falseley informed Sanders that the team selected him in the draft.
The prank drew much ire and resulted in the NFL fining the Falcons $250,000 and Ulbrich $100,000.
NFL Family Affair
Most of the headlines on draft night surrounded Shedeur and Deion. So, it makes sense that Shilo’s ascent into the NFL went overlooked. Although he was not drafted, Shilo will enter camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after signing as a non-drafted free agent.
With his sons finally finding their NFL homes, the eldest Sander took to Instagram to share a heartfelt carousel of photos with his sons, accompanied by a message of love, faith, and trust in God’s plan.
“Thank u to all for your support, love, words of encouragement, hate, disdain, envy, misunderstanding, judgement, lies & playing your role. We wouldn’t be on the path we’re on without all yall. God is good and good is GOD! We love him, Serve him and appreciate everything that comes with this journey. God bless EVERYONE! #CoachPrime,” he wrote.
On a professional level. Deion Sanders has done a phenomenal job of guiding his sons in the professional arena. It's not easy to make it to the NFL. However, Deion has two sons in the NFL. No matter what people say about Deion. He represents Fatherhood on a solid level. pic.twitter.com/LIFSi0Afp0
— Tio Hardiman, MA (@TioHardiman)
The Sanders trio was at the center of one of the most fascinating and talked-about stories in college football in recent years — building a strong culture at Colorado and injecting a level of competitiveness that caught the NFL’s attention.
Now, with their college chapter behind them, the Sanders brothers will have the opportunity to prove they can compete at the professional level, without their father’s shadow as head coach.