Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders offered a rare, emotionally frank assessment of his son, Shedeur, suggesting the rookie quarterback has faced significant, private challenges as he prepares for his first NFL start.
At a media gathering Tuesday, Deion said he is “happy for him just getting that opportunity … because I know the fight behind the fight.” He added, “I know what’s been transpiring behind the curtains,” though he declined to detail exactly what his son has endured.
A Father’s Faith in Tough Times
Despite not specifying the nature of Shedeur’s struggles, Deion praised his son’s character. “He’s not just saying the right things,” he said, “he’s doing and living the right things … that’s just who he is.”
Deion emphasized his gratitude to a higher power for preparing Shedeur “for everything he’s dealing with.” He said plainly, “I mean, I think a lesser man would have crumbled.”
He also noted that Shedeur “has been built for this … who else is built for the adversity he is? Like, going into the NFL?”
Shedeur, a fifth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns, is set to make his first NFL start Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders after starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel entered concussion protocol.
In his brief NFL debut, Shedeur completed only 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards, threw an interception, and was sacked twice. He later acknowledged, “I don’t think I played good. Don’t think I played good at all.”
Deion conceded that he expected some inconsistency from his son. “I knew it was going to be some inconsistencies of a lot of things,” he told reporters, “because I know football.”
Still, the elder Sanders made clear his respect for Gabriel, saying, “I didn’t want him to get in by the injury … and I want him to be successful as well.”
Deion admitted he’s not even certain whether he will attend the game in Las Vegas. “I don’t know, I haven’t made that decision as of yet,” he said. “I’m so focused on what we have at hand.”
But regardless of his physical presence on the sideline, Deion’s support for Shedeur is unambiguous: “I’m just proud of him … he is who he is. He’s a Sanders.”