“With or without football…”: Deion Sanders beams with pride as Shedeur and Shilo face contrasting NFL journeys

Deion Sanders stood in a place only a father and a football legend could—watching his sons fight for their NFL dreams as teams trimmed rosters to 53. Both Shedeur and Shilo Sanders carried the Sanders name onto the field with passion, grit, and promise.

The results, however, couldn’t have been more different, and yet Deion’s words showed where his true pride lies.

Sanders brothers face different NFL fates

Shedeur Sanders, drafted in the fifth round, found a home with the Cleveland Browns. His preseason started with sparks—13-of-24, 138 yards, and two touchdowns—but ended on a shaky note. Despite that, his work was enough to earn a place on the Browns’ roster. Shilo Sanders, on the other hand, went undrafted but was picked up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

His path turned rough after being ejected for throwing a punch in the final preseason game, leading to an early cut.Through it all, their father stayed grounded. Deion Sanders, fresh off a battle with bladder cancer, kept perspective: “All of the Sanders’ are going to be straight, with or without football.” Those words carried a weight beyond sports—a reminder that the Sanders legacy isn’t defined by wins, losses, or roster spots.

Even as Shedeur celebrates making the team, his role is set for development. With head coach Kevin Stefanski naming Dillon Gabriel the backup to Joe Flacco, Shedeur will start as the Browns’ third-string quarterback. Stefanski explained, “It’s such an all-encompassing evaluation… we also saw a lot of them out here in practice and how they are at their craft.” For Shedeur, growth remains the priority.

Sanders family resilience shines brighter than football

For the Sanders family, setbacks are not dead ends. Shilo may have been cut, but opportunities remain in a league where injuries and roster shifts are constant.

Shedeur, only 23, has shown flashes that justify Cleveland’s belief in him.Deion himself now turns his attention back to Colorado, preparing his Buffaloes for their opener against Georgia Tech. Yet whether it’s Folsom Field or an NFL stadium, the message remains the same: family strength outweighs football outcomes.The Browns may have secured their third-string quarterback, but the Sanders family has already proven they’re built for the long game—on and off the field.Also Read: “We got this one right!”: Tom Brady proves fatherhood is his greatest win with heartfelt letter to son Jack