Tough Love? Real Reason Why Deion Sanders Doesn’t Want Son Shilo Sanders’ First NFL Jersey

After a draft bust in the spring draft, Shilo Sanders was signed as an undrafted free agent by the NFC South team Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tough Love? Real Reason Why Deion Sanders Doesn’t Want Son Shilo Sanders’ First NFL Jersey

Shilo Sanders and Deion Sanders (Image via FOX News)

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It was a milestone weekend for the Sanders family and a pretty great way for Deion Sanders to celebrate his 58th birthday. The Pro Football Hall of Famer and current Colorado head coach watched both of his sons step onto an NFL field for the first time in preseason action.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders made headlines in his debut for the Cleveland Browns, throwing two touchdowns in a win over the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, older brother Shilo suited up at defensive back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, nearly recording a sack when he blasted Tennessee Titans quarterback Brandon Allen just after a pass release.

The weekend also brought a humorous family moment. In a video shared by ESPN’s Jenna Laine, Shilo revealed that he tried to give his father his debut game jersey as a birthday present. Deion, someone who’s known for a tough-love nature, however, politely declined.

He didn’t want it. He’s a Hall of Famer; he expects like 30 times more. I gotta get like three picks or something.

Shilo Sanders said

Shilo, an undrafted free agent, is competing for a roster spot in Tampa, while Shedeur, a fifth-round pick, is vying for the Browns’ starting quarterback job. Both turned in promising performances, setting the stage for what could be an exciting rookie year for the Sanders brothers.

Shilo Sanders and the Buccaneers have shown a spark in the preseason amid roster implications

Shilo Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, entered the league as an undrafted free agent, a path that offers little margin for error, yet he has wasted no time making his presence felt. In his preseason debut against the Tennessee Titans, Sanders logged 37 snaps, recording a tackle and a quarterback hit, while notably not allowing a single reception or target in coverage.

Shilo Sanders
Shilo Sanders (Image via FOX News)

That performance alone put him firmly in the conversation for a spot on the Bucs’ final 53-man roster. Sanders’ emergence comes at the expense of direct competition with fellow safety Rashad Wisdom, another undrafted free agent fighting for his place in the secondary.

Tampa Bay’s depth chart currently lists Sanders fourth at free safety, behind Tykee Smith and Kaevon Merriweather, but his debut hinted at a skill set that meshes perfectly with head coach Todd Bowles’ defensive philosophy. Bowles is known for deploying aggressive blitz packages and positioning his safeties closer to the line of scrimmage to both disrupt the run game and create pressure on the quarterback. Sanders’ ability to deliver a timely hit on the QB fits neatly into that scheme.

The Buccaneers’ secondary is crowded, and roster spots are scarce, which means Sanders’ path is far from secure. Preseason standouts can fade quickly if they cannot replicate success across multiple games and in practice. However, his strong debut significantly boosts his chances of at least making the practice squad. From there, special teams contributions and injury replacements could be his entry point to regular-season action.

Beyond individual impact, Sanders’ progress comes at an interesting time for Tampa Bay. The Bucs are in a transitional phase, aiming to remain competitive in the NFC South while integrating new talent. A versatile, scheme-fit safety like Sanders could offer value as depth. Furthermore, Sanders can be a developmental player in a defense that thrives on adaptability.

For now, his standout debut is the first critical step, something that could end with him walking into Week 1 as part of the active roster. The next two preseason games will determine whether that spark becomes a full-blown roster win.

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