The video has all the feels
Deion Sanders, 58, Colorado football coach and father of Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, 23, did not attend Shedeur’s NFL preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers on Friday due to being previously engaged to headline Buffs media day.
While Deion was unable to join Shedeur on their father-son pre-game walk, Deion prepared his son a speech for the ages that magnifies why he is one of college football’s breakout coaches, a God-fearing man, and most importantly, a great dad.
“Son, I love you. We’ve been on a journey, boy. Look at all these people out here. They think they know but they don’t,“ Deion told Shedeur via a video message posted by multiple media outlets. ”We’ve got the Lord on our side, son. Who could set it up like this but him. Look at all this. God is so good, so faithful. He presented this opportunity to you, and no one else. So I want you to go out there and make them remember your last name.
“Take your time, don’t hold the ball, get rid of it, patience. We want completions. Enough completions and they are gonna run out of field. But mostly, I just want you to do you. Do your thing. Just because you are on the biggest stage, it don’t mean it won’t be the same thing. You know who you are. You been doing this for so long.”
Despite it being his first NFL game, Shedeur w ould showcase his signature poise and accuracy, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 30-10 preseason victory over the Carolina Panthers, despite three drops . He also added 19 rushing yards on 4 attempts and was sacked twice.
Sanders craftily navigated the pocket, made accurate throws, and scrambled effectively throughout 45 snaps.
Despite room for improvement, his performance was well-received and considered a strong NFL quarterback debut.
The Browns selected Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 144th pick — two rounds after drafting fellow rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, 94th overall out of Oregon.
Despite being touted as a top-10 pick — and an option for the New York Giants at No. 3 — Sanders’ free fall was attributed to several factors. Those include his rumored behavior during the draft process and the perception of his family’s influence.
Some analysts and team officials point to Shedeur’s decision-making and tendency to take unnecessary sacks while some suspect a coordinated effort by the NFL to humble the arrogant son of the even more arrogant Hall of Fame cornerback.
Deion coached Shedeur for one year at Jackson State and two at the University of Colorado, and who some feel Deion could eventually replace Shedeur’s NFL head coach.
Todderick Hunt covers Sports and Culture and Recruiting. Have a story idea or a tip? He can be reached at[email protected].
Category: General Sports
