Deion Sanders refuses to compare sons to himself

Playing football at Colorado comes with more pressure than it has in quite some time, as head coach Deion Sanders has elevated the program and shined a national spotlight on Boulder in a very short amount of time. And surely that pressure raises when you’re also a son of Sanders.

Sanders has two sons who play on the Buffaloes squad, quarterback Shedeur and safety Shilo. And when Coach Prime was recently asked at a press conference if he sees some of his own game in Shilo’s as a former defensive back, he quickly nipped those comparisons in the bud.

“I never compare my kids to me, that’s not fair as a father and a lot of fathers do that,” Sanders said. “They want their kids to walk in their footsteps and live their life.”

Comparisons to Deion Sanders are immediately lofty, as he represents one of the greatest athletes of this generation. Sanders is a member of both the Pro Football and College Football Hall of Fame with eight NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections each and two Super Bowl rings to his name as a professional.

Sanders was also a notable athlete outside of football, playing baseball both collegiately and professionally during his football career and also running for Florida State‘s track team. But when it comes to his children meeting those standards, he wants them to just be themselves.

“My kids and I, our deal we made when they were young lads just getting into sports is you don’t have to be me. Be the best you that you can be and give me your best,” Sanders said. “That’s our deal.”

Deion’s son Shilo has been showing off his playmaking abilities similar to his father as of late, recording a forced fumble and returning an interception 80 yards for a touchdown in the Buffaloes’ most recent game, a 43-35 overtime win over Colorado State.

“So that’s who Shilo is, Shilo’s a bonafide leader, he’s a dog back there, he plays hard, plays tough, he’s a physical kid, and he loves the game of football and he loves playing for Coach Kelly. He really does,” Sanders said.

Shilo’s 19 tackles so far this season rank second on Colorado’s defense, and each and every one has been made while sporting his father’s signature No. 21 jersey number.

Sanders’ other son Shedeur has also been excelling, regarded as an early Heisman Trophy candidate who currently ranks second in the nation in passing yards. But through the success of each, they both strive to make their own name for themselves.