The football world is buzzing. Not because of another playoff upset or blockbuster trade—but because of three simple words: “I ain’t sorry.” Deion Sanders, the legendary Hall of Famer turned outspoken college coach, dropped that now-viral phrase during an interview addressing his sons’ departure from Colorado and their meteoric rise in the NFL. But those three words carry far more weight than a simple dismissal of regret—they encapsulate a bold family journey filled with adversity, transformation, rejection, and ultimately, triumph.
Coach Prime is no stranger to controversy, and this chapter is no exception. Following a rocky tenure with the Colorado Buffaloes that saw promise turn into polarization, Sanders made the decision to step away from the program—at least in spirit—before his sons, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and safety Shilo Sanders, declared for the NFL Draft. What many saw as abandonment, Deion framed as evolution.
“I gave everything I had,” Sanders said. “We changed the culture, the expectations, the mindset. But when you’re no longer wanted, it’s time to move on.”
Indeed, the Buffaloes’ 2024 season was a tale of two extremes. Colorado was the talk of the country early on, capturing national headlines with an electric start, swaggering walk-ins, and Prime Time quotes. Shedeur lit up opposing defenses with elite arm talent and playmaking under pressure. Shilo brought grit and leadership to the defensive backfield. But as injuries mounted, the depth showed cracks, and the Buffaloes spiraled. Critics sharpened their knives. The same media that couldn’t get enough of the Sanders show turned cold. Rumors circulated of locker room unrest. Anonymous coaches questioned the legitimacy of the rebuild. And by season’s end, both sons were labeled “products of hype” by major outlets, with one analyst calling them “unwanted distractions in a Power Five setting.”
Unwanted. That word stuck.
And it became fuel.
Shedeur Sanders declared for the NFL Draft with a pointed message of his own: “They said we couldn’t do it. They said we were just Prime’s kids. But we were built for more than the hate.” Weeks later, Shilo followed, calling the family “one of one.” Most assumed the hype would fade quickly at the professional level, where harsh realities expose college stars for what they are—or aren’t.
Then came the combine.
Shedeur dazzled. His deep-ball accuracy, composure, and football IQ were undeniable. He measured up, literally and figuratively, and left scouts scrambling to move him up their draft boards. Meanwhile, Shilo’s tenacity in interviews, paired with his athleticism and explosiveness in drills, reignited talk that he could be a Day 2 steal. By the time draft night arrived, the question wasn’t if they’d be drafted high—it was how early.
And when the chips fell, both sons heard their names called on Day 1. First, Shedeur was selected in the top 10 by a franchise desperate for a new face—one that needed not just a quarterback, but a culture changer. Later that same night, Shilo was drafted late in the first round by a defensive-minded team that viewed him as an immediate contributor and locker room presence. From “unwanted distractions” to foundational NFL pieces in the span of months.
The story could have ended there and still been remarkable. But it didn’t. Because what followed was nothing short of sensational.
Training camp opened, and both Sanders brothers took over headlines. Shedeur’s poise and command of the offense shocked veterans and reporters alike. Coaches praised his work ethic and leadership. And by Week 3 of the preseason, he was named the starter over an established veteran. Shilo, meanwhile, earned first-team reps from day one and became the defensive backfield’s most vocal leader—breaking up passes, forcing fumbles, and energizing the entire secondary.