From NFL Prospect to Content Creator: Shilo Sanders’ Journey After Football

In late August, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived safety Shilo Sanders, closing a chapter in his professional football aspirations. Since then, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders has pivoted from pursuing a career on the gridiron to creating entertaining social media content. This career transition became particularly evident during a recent AFC North matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, where Shilo’s creative side took center stage in an unexpected way. His younger brother, Shedeur Sanders, serves as the backup quarterback for the Browns, giving Shilo the perfect opportunity to blend family connections with his newfound content creation ambitions.

Prior to the Week 6 kickoff between the Browns and Steelers, Shilo executed a lighthearted prank that both confused and amused fans at Pittsburgh’s stadium. Donning his brother’s No. 12 Browns jersey, Shilo walked confidently into the venue hours before the game and began introducing himself as Shedeur. “What’s going on with y’all, man? I’m Shedeur today,” he announced while performing his brother’s signature “watch flex” pose. The impersonation didn’t stop there—when fans inquired whether Shedeur would play in the upcoming game, Shilo responded by mimicking Shedeur’s viral “mime routine,” a gesture that has recently gained attention in football circles. The entire charade was captured for Shilo’s YouTube channel, showcasing his natural talent for entertainment and his willingness to leverage family connections for content creation.

Shilo’s football journey reflects the challenges many athletes face when transitioning from collegiate to professional sports. After playing defensive back at three different schools—South Carolina, Jackson State, and Colorado—Shilo went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. During his time at both Jackson State and Colorado, he played under the coaching of his father, Deion Sanders, whose legendary status in professional football created both opportunities and high expectations for his sons. Despite his pedigree and collegiate experience, Shilo’s brief stint with the Buccaneers ended before the regular season, prompting his apparent career shift toward digital content creation where his personality and family connections provide natural advantages.

Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders’ situation with the Cleveland Browns demonstrates the unpredictable nature of NFL quarterback depth charts. Listed as the backup behind Dillon Gabriel following Joe Flacco’s trade to the Cincinnati Bengals, Shedeur represents the future potential of a struggling franchise. Gabriel, the former Oregon quarterback who has started two games this season, has thrown for 430 yards and three touchdowns thus far. However, the team’s performance has been disappointing, with the Browns suffering their third consecutive defeat in a 23-9 loss to the Steelers during the game Shilo attended for his impersonation stunt. This ongoing struggle provides an interesting backdrop to Shilo’s prank, highlighting the contrast between his lighthearted content creation and the serious competitive challenges his brother faces in the NFL.

The Sanders brothers’ diverging paths illustrate different aspects of life after collegiate athletics—Shedeur continuing the professional sports journey while Shilo explores alternative avenues for success. Their father Deion’s influence remains evident in both of their careers, though manifested in different ways. For Shedeur, the pressure to perform at a professional level carries the weight of his father’s legendary status, while for Shilo, the charisma and media savvy that helped make Deion “Prime Time” appears to have transferred to his content creation endeavors. The brothers maintain their connection through these shared experiences and family traits, even as their career trajectories move in separate directions.

This story of the Sanders brothers highlights broader themes about athletic careers, family legacies, and finding alternative paths to success. While not every athlete achieves their dream of professional sports stardom, those with creativity and personality—like Shilo—can pivot to other opportunities that leverage their unique experiences and connections. His willingness to embrace content creation and use humor to connect with audiences demonstrates adaptability and resilience in the face of career disappointment. Meanwhile, Shedeur continues to navigate the challenges of professional football with his brother’s support, maintaining the Sanders family presence in the NFL even as Shilo charts his own course in the digital realm.