Deion Sanders has made a career out of proving people wrong – and now he’s standing up for his son Shedeur Sanders in the face of mounting criticism.
After watching his son unexpectedly fall to the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Colorado head coach and NFL legend took aim at what he sees as a deliberate effort to discredit Shedeur during the pre-draft process.
The fallout from Shedeur‘s draft position sparked widespread conversation, with some questioning his attitude and preparedness during team meetings. One month later, Deion decided it was time to speak up.
Appearing on ESPN Cleveland in an interview with Asante Samuel, Sanders dismantled the narrative surrounding his son and fired back at what he sees as personal attacks disguised as professional analysis.
“I think a couple people who may have taken shots at my kids, they were afraid that I would go,” Deion said. “That’s where the shots came from. They want to create these narratives and create these stories and then attach them to a kid that ain’t never done nothing wrong.”
Coach Prime didn’t just speak as a protective father – he was also a coach making the case for a player he believes has already proven his worth.
Shedeur Sanders already impressing at Browns OTAs
Shedeur‘s fall to 144th overall came as a shock to many, particularly given his standout performances at Jackson State and Colorado under his father’s leadership.
At one point, he was considered a potential top-five pick, praised for his poise, accuracy, and football IQ. However, a string of anonymous reports and rumors during the pre-draft cycle cast doubt on his character and commitment.
One report claimed that Shedeur failed a surprise test during a meeting with the New York Giants, while others suggested he wore headphones and appeared disengaged. Deion scoffed at the idea.
“You gonna tell me he was unprepared? You gonna tell me he had on headphones?” he said. “Shedeur Sanders, who’s had six different coordinators, who has still functioned and went up, leveled up every time we brought somebody new in – and you’re going to tell me he was unprepared?”
Another narrative came from Ross Tucker, who claimed Shedeur declined three interview requests. Others accused Deion of manipulating his son’s draft landing spot to avoid teams like the Cleveland Browns – the very team Shedeur now represents.
Far from shaken, Shedeur is quickly turning heads in Cleveland. Reports from offseason training suggest he’s already making a strong case to be the Browns’ starting quarterback in Week 1.
With veteran options like Kenny Pickett also in the mix, the rookie has emerged as a real contender thanks to his calm demeanor and sharp execution in practice.
Deion closed the interview with a message full of pride and intent.
“No, you a dog. Your kid’s a dog, and dogs don’t always rise to the top,” he said, adding that Shedeur’s mental strength has been forged by a life spent under the microscope.
“They know how to handle themselves, and you’re not going to catch them in no foolery and no mess.”
If Shedeur earns the starting role this season, it will be the perfect response to a turbulent draft process – and exactly the kind of outcome Deion Sanders has spent his life chasing: silencing the doubters with results.
Read the full article here
