Deion Sanders Rejected Son Shilo's Birthday Gift for This Reason

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie safety Shilo Sanders made his NFL preseason debut on Saturday, August 9, the same day Deion Sanders turned 58.

According to Sports Illustrated, after the game, Shilo tried to mark the occasion by offering his father a birthday present: his No. 28 Buccaneers jersey. Deion Sanders—now Colorado’s head coach and a Pro Football Hall of Famer—playfully declined.

According to Shilo’s postgame comments, Deion Sanders told him to keep the jersey until he’s produced more on the field, so Shilo said he’d give it to his mom instead.

The night itself was a win for both the Buccaneers and the Sanders family. Tampa Bay beat the Tennessee Titans 29–7 at Raymond James Stadium, and Shilo logged valuable snaps while competing for a roster spot as an undrafted free agent.

He started the second half, finished with one solo tackle, and delivered the Buccaneers’ first quarterback hit of the game—a play that quickly circulated on social media.

Over in Cleveland, Shilo’s brother Shedeur Sanders also impressed in his first NFL preseason action, capping a strong weekend for the family.

Deion Sanders stayed in the headlines thanks to the birthday moment, but the focus for Shilo remains earning a place on Tampa Bay’s 53-man roster. Head coach Todd Bowles evaluated the debut positively, noting Shilo’s toughness, interior tackling, quarterback pressure, and sound work in coverage.

Even with that praise, there’s work ahead: Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith are projected to start at safety, and Shilo opened camp listed as fourth string while competing with Kaevon Merriweather, Rashad Wisdom, and J.J. Roberts.

Two preseason games remain for Shilo to climb the depth chart: Aug. 16 at Pittsburgh (7 p.m., NBC Channel 8/WFLA) and Aug. 23 vs. Buffalo (7:30 p.m., NBC Channel 8/WFLA). The NFL’s deadline for roster cuts to 53 is Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. ET.