Deion Sanders on having his family with him in Colorado: 'I don't know no other way'

When Deion Sanders became Colorado head coach, many believed his sons would follow him to Boulder — and they did. Just like most of us, Coach Prime wouldn’t be anywhere without his family.

Some things will always be more important than football.

“I don’t know no other way. This is the way it has always been. You guys are just getting an opportunity to see it. So I don’t know no other way,” Sanders said on Saturday. “My family was in Jackson, [Mississippi] with me. My kids have always been with me.

“I don’t recall a game, except for when I was in the hospital for four weeks, that anyone else has ever coached Shedeur. The only reason Shilo had another coach is because he went to South Carolina. So, that’s the way it has always been, from Youth League, as long as I can remember. I pride myself on being a real father, and a good son to my mother, and a good brother to my sister and her kids as well.”

Shilo Sanders, the older of the two, is a defensive back and began his career in Columbia and spent two seasons there before transferring to Jackson State to play for his father in 2021. In the first season after his transfer, Shilo played four games for JSU and logged four interceptions in that span before tearing his ACL and missing the remainder of the season.

He was still recovering entering the 2022 season and was only able to compile 11 solo tackles, three passes defended and one interception. If he can stay healthy in 2023 — he could be one of the Buffaloes’ top secondary defenders.

His little brother has had a bit more success on the surface under his father, though. Shedeur Sanders was one of three quarterbacks in 2022 who passed for more than 3,500 yards with 40 or greater touchdowns and six or fewer interceptions. He would finish the year with 3,732 yards through the air, 40 touchdowns and six interceptions to go with 183 rushing yards with six more scores on the ground.

If Deion Sanders can bring out the potential in both of his sons, they’ll be two of Colorado’s most important players in 2023. With a mass transfer exit and subsequent overhaul of the Buffs’ roster this offseason — Coach Prime can rest assured knowing he can fall back on his children on both sides of the ball to step up when need be.