TAMPA, Fla. -- Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders told reporters Tuesday that he is proud of his son Shilo Sanders, who was among the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' roster cuts and whose time with the Bucs ended unceremoniously when he was ejected from the third preseason game for throwing a punch.
"Oh, most definitely [I've talked to him]," Sanders said. "He's my son, I'm proud of my kids, all of them. And I prepared my kids for any and everything that could possibly happen in life and in sports. That's part of fathering, that's part of parenting, that's part of having a relationship. So he is mentally where he needs to be, physically where he needs to be. 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."
The Bucs signed the former Colorado, Jackson State and South Carolina safety as an undrafted free agent, and he quickly established himself as a fan favorite in Tampa. But he wasn't able to escape the bottom of the depth chart. Kaevon Merriweather and Rashad Wisdom, the two safeties with whom he was competing after JJ Roberts was lost to injury, both made the 53-man roster. Both Merriweather and Wisdom were with the team last season.
Sanders' punch came in a tussle with Buffalo Bills tight end Zach Davidson on Saturday. Bucs coach Todd Bowles said after, "You can't throw punches in this league -- that's inexcusable. They're going to get you every time. You've got to grow from that."
Deion Sanders said that no matter what, Shilo Sanders, who has a large social media following and regularly streams online, will be OK.
Deion Sanders said he is proud of his son Shilo Sanders - who was most recently cut by the Bucs - and of all of his children. He said they're hoping for another NFL opportunity, but if one doesn't come, they've got a plan. He said, "Shilo's a man of many talents." pic.twitter.com/T2aw3N10nB
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) August 26, 2025
"Shilo's a man of many talents," Deion Sanders said. "I don't know if you guys know -- he's a man of many talents and he's going to be straight. All the Sanders are going to be straight with or without football. You better believe that. You better believe that I take care of mine and I've always have, and y'all know what I mean. You better believe that."
Sanders did not specify what that alternate plan for Shilo might be. Would it include a reunion in Boulder? His son Deion Sanders Jr. manages the Buffaloes' social media content. Shilo told ESPN last week that he and brother Shedeur -- a 2025 fifth-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns -- want to make names for themselves too, while also expressing appreciation for their father's support. "We have to grow up and do things on our own," Shilo said. "So that's why I want my dad to come out here, but at the same time, it's time to grow and to figure things out and go through the grind."