Shilo Sanders isn’t taking his release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lying down.
The middle child of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Shilo explained that his release by the Buccaneers doesn’t mean he’s giving up on the NFL dream.
“First and foremost, I just want to say, I believe in God,” Sanders said in an Instagram post. “I know God always has a plan for me… I feel like this is just part of my story to grow and do bigger and better things. Whether it’s finding another team or getting another opportunity in the NFL.”
“I’ve had the best time up here in Tampa, but everything happens for a reason, and it is what it is,” Sanders said. “I’ve been talking with my agent, and we’re waiting for the next opportunity. If that’s in the NFL, that’s cool, but God has blessed me with a lot of talents to do other things than play football. I feel like in every athlete’s life, it comes a point where the game ends for you. And I’m not saying that’s what it is now. I’m just saying mentally I’m good.”
The Buccaneers cut Sanders after he punched another player during a preseason game and was immediately ejected.
In short order, the Buccaneers released the undrafted free agent out of Colorado, and no other team has picked him up.
Sanders, 25, had garnered a bit of a reputation as a dirty player dating back to his time playing safety for the University of Colorado, when he was called for a few late hit penalties that got some notoriety online.
Sanders adds that he has other options, including music, acting and modeling.
Sanders also thanked the Buccaneers while joking that he was lucky to even get an opportunity after what happened to his brother, Shedeur Sanders, in the draft.
“Y’all know I’m lucky to even get a shot. Y’all saw what happened with Shedeur, so I knew what was going to happen to me going undrafted,” Shilo said.
Shedeur was a projected first-round pick but fell all the way to the fifth round before being drafted by the Browns.