Shedeur said it just “adds fuel to the fire” that he wasn’t selected in the first round of the 2025 draft

Shedeur Sanders #QB13 of Colorado speaks at the podium during the 2025 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Shedeur Sanders on Feb. 28, 2025. Photo:Brooke Sutton/Getty

Deion Sanders’ son Shedeur held his head high after going unselected during the first round of the NFL Draft.

Shedeur, 23, threw a lavish party on April 24 with friends and family as he hoped his name would be called during the draft, but the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback remained unselected as the first round concluded.

After the party, Deion, 57, shared a video to Instagram of his son speaking to guests. “We all didn’t expect this, of course,” a disappointed Shedeur said. “But, I feel like with God, anything’s possible, everything’s possible. I don’t feel like this happened, you know, for no reason.”

Shedeur said going unselected in the first round simply motivates him to work harder. “All this is of course fuel to the fire and under no circumstance we all know this shouldn’t have happened, but we understand we on to bigger and better things.”

Deion Sanders and Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes walk the field during a senior day celebration prior to the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field on November 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado

Deion Sanders and Shedeur Sanders on November 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado.Andrew Wevers/Getty

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The Buffaloes star, whose jersey will be retired alongside former teammate and No. 2 pick Travis Hunter, concluded his speech by saying, “Tomorrow’s the day, we going to be happy regardless. Legendary.”

Former NBA star Dwyane Wade commented, “That’s how you handle things,” on the post.

After the draft, Shedeur’s brother Deion Sanders Jr. reposted a dig at the New York Giants, who passed on Shedeur, on X. “This is crazy !!! No wonder the GAINTS DONT WIN SH……,” the post said.

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Shedeur’s disappointment in the first round comes amid his father making headlines when he defended the Buffaloes’ decision to retire the quarterback’s jersey amid backlash. Deion called it a “sore subject” while speaking with reporters on Thursday, April 17, according to ESPN and USA Today.

“Let’s get the elephant out the room,” the Buffaloes head coach began. “If his last name wasn’t Sanders, we wouldn’t have this discussion. Only reason we’re having this discussion is his last name is Sanders. That’s it.”

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in action during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the University of Colorado Buffaloes on November 29, 2024 at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders on Nov. 29, 2024.Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty

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A former Buffaloes player said retiring Shedeur’s jersey so soon after his graduation “ignores the greatness in the past” and Northeastern State head coach Darrin Chiaverini said he “strongly” believes there should be a “cooling off period,” as the NFL Hall of Fame does, so that decisions “aren’t made out of emotion.”

“No doubt they are etched in Colorado Football lore but let’s make sure we honor those that came before,” said Chiaverini.

Deion shares two children with his first wife, Carolyn Chambers: a daughter, Deiondra, 33, and a son, Deion Jr., 31. He also had three children with his second wife, Pilar Biggers-Sanders: sons Shilo, 25, and Shedeur, and daughter Shelomi, 21.