Football and basketball often share intriguing parallels, particularly when it comes to transitive dynamics within the sports world. However, a delicate issue has been bubbling up lately, one that’s difficult to ignore: nepotism. This conversation reignited when Bronny James, LeBron‘s son, was drafted by the Lakers, and now it seems Shilo Sanders may be the next to face scrutiny over the influence of his lineage.
Deion Sanders, a Hall of Famer and one of the most iconic figures in American sports, naturally wields considerable clout. His reputation extends beyond his illustrious playing career; his current role as head coach at the University of Colorado has only amplified his influence. Yet, questions are being raised about whether Deion is leveraging this power to boost his son Shilo’s NFL prospects.
Unlike his brother Shedeur, who is widely regarded as a top-five draft pick, Shilo’s path to the NFL is less assured. Critics suggest Deion might be using his stature to nudge Shilo into the league. “I think what Deion said the other day, that he wants to ‘coach his sons,’ plural… I took that to mean, ‘Hey everybody… I got Shilo coming out too, and this guy is draftable in the same way. Don’t forget about Shilo either,'” Rich Eisen remarked on his show, offering insight into Deion’s potential motivations.
The controversial path of Shilo Sanders
The situation becomes even more layered when considering Deion’s rumored interest in coaching in the NFL. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys have been linked to him, and Deion has made no secret of his desire to coach both Shedeur and Shilo at the professional level.
This creates a unique dynamic: teams looking to secure Deion as a head coach may see drafting Shilo as a strategic move to increase their chances. As Eisen put it, “If a team wishes to lure Deion, there’s a conspicuous path. All they’ve got to do is use a relatively low pick on Shilo Sanders, and the chances increase exponentially.”
This echoes the narrative surrounding Bronny James’ draft selection, where teams speculated that choosing Bronny might entice LeBron to join them in free agency. For Shilo, this could be a golden opportunity, as his NFL readiness remains under debate. While his talent is evident, it’s clear that Deion’s influence could play a pivotal role in shaping his future. Whether this is fair or not remains a topic of heated discussion in sports circles.
