Before he became Colorado’s limelight-loving football coach, Deion Sanders was one of the most versatile professional athletes of the modern era. He made his way from playing three sports in high school and college to spending 14 seasons in the NFL and nine in MLB.
Sanders further distinguished himself as the only athlete to ever compete in a World Series and a Super Bowl. He recorded four runs and eight hits during the 1992 World Series, though his Atlanta Braves lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. Come 1995’s Super Bowl XXIX, Sanders won a championship ring when the San Francisco 49ers beat the San Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles Chargers) 49–26.
As the Florida native was building his stats sheets, he was also growing his family. Sanders, now 57, has five children. His son Shedeur Sanders was just drafted into the NFL, but Shedeur is just one of Deion’s kids to follow in his athletic footsteps. Here’s how all three of his sons and one of his daughters have carried on the Pro Football Hall of Famer’s sports legacy.
Deion Sanders Jr.
Like his dad, 31-year-old Deion Jr. played college football. He spent three seasons as a defensive back for Southern Methodist University and set two school records—single-game kick return yards (203) and kick returns (10)—his sophomore year.
Shilo Sanders
Shilo, 25, nearly played college football at his father’s alma mater. However, Shilo left his scholarship offer at Florida State on the table and opted to suit up for South Carolina, instead.
After two seasons with the Gamecocks, Shilo transferred to Jackson State then Colorado to play for his dad. The safety had a particularly strong 2023 season at Colorado, tallying more forced fumbles than any other defensive back in the country. His final season with the Buffaloes was in 2024.
Shilo hoped to be drafted into the NFL alongside his younger brother, Shedeur, this past week but wasn’t selected. However, just after the draft ended Saturday, sports journalist Tom Pelissero was first to report that Shilo has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent.
Shedeur Sanders
Now 23, Shedeur spent his entire college football career under his dad’s tutelage and playing alongside his older brother Shilo. The starting quarterback played for Deion at Jackson State and Colorado, spending two seasons at each university. He set multiple records at each school, including single-season completion percentage (70.5 at Jackson State; 74.0 at Colorado) and Colorado’s single-season passing yards (4,134 in 2024).
Shedeur, who amassed 14,347 passing yards throughout his college career, was widely expected to be a first round draft pick—if not, No. 1 overall—this past week. However, he went five rounds before the Cleveland Browns picked up the quarterback at No. 144.
Shelomi Sanders
Deion’s youngest, Shelomi, is a college basketball player. The 21-year-old has played for Jackson State, Colorado, and now Alabama A&M.
Although Deion dropped basketball in college, he was a standout high school player. In fact, his scoring ability led to his famous nickname. After one particularly hot night of shooting that saw him record 30 points, a friend gave him his “Prime Time” moniker that’s stuck ever since.
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