In public, Deion Sanders’ relationship with his children has always looked seamless. His sons, Shedeur and Shilo, followed him from Jackson State to Colorado. His daughter, Shelomi, is a basketball player on campus. On game days, they orbit his sideline. On social media, they’re center stage. But behind the visibility is a more complicated truth: for years, Sanders had to fight just to be in the picture.
Deion Sanders and ex-wife Pilar were married for 16 years. However, their separation became a high-profile battle that turned ruthless and ugly at one point. Domestic abuse allegations entered the drama, which makes it harder for the guilty parent to obtain custody. Pilar had also accused Sanders of using steroids at one point in the trial, after which a disgusted Sanders left the courtroom. The battle for custody lasted for many years, and a final decision was made only in 2019. The jury only took two hours to declare Deion as the more responsible parent.
Now, 6 years after the fight, Deion is sending a message to all fathers who fought the same battle. He shared a post on his IG story that read, “A lot of dads didn’t walk away from their families. They were pushed out, shut out, lied about, and then blamed for not being there.” During the battle, Pilar had alleged that Deion “loved himself more than the children,” according to FindLaw. Deion wrote alongside the post, “God Bless all The real fathers that’s still fighting to raise their children! #CoachPrime.” He still shares joint custody of his daughter, Shelomi, with his estranged wife.
Deion has been an admirable father to all of his children. True, the boys had the Deion Sanders, aka Coach Prime, as their father. But he’s always made it clear that fatherhood takes precedence at times when it’s needed. He walked with Shedeur and Shilo on their Senior Day, which was an emotional moment for him. “It’s tough. Tough on a coach who loves his kids.” He has also retired Shedeur’s jersey number at Colorado, honoring his son’s contribution to the program.
But as his own sons flock to build their own future, Deion has also stepped in for fathers who are unable to support their children due to legal restrictions.
Deion Sanders extends fatherly support to Jimmy Horn Jr.
Coach Prime has been a longstanding pillar of support for Jimmy Horn Jr., who is also going to the NFL draft. His father has remained incarcerated since 2021, when Jimmy was about to begin his college career. Sanders stepped in to ease the situation and has been the father figure Jimmy needed during this crucial time of the year.
In fact, he’d promised Horn Sr. that he’d be there for his son while the latter served his time. And Coach Prime did just that, staying by Jimmy’s side for the past 4 years. He even accompanied the WR on a prison visit, which was an emotional moment for the father-son duo. On Senior Day, Jimmy Horn Jr. had Coach Prime walking with him. He asked his coach to stand in for the parent who usually walks their children down that road.
Sanders had also received an emotional message from Jimmy Horn Sr. from prison. He wrote, “Genuine brother of America, appreciate you more than you can ever know. You are truly a blessing, a sign that, all things are possible through mercy, grace and everlasting love.” He continued, “You say you be there for my son Jimmy Horn Jr., also including me.” Horn Sr. also included a photo of the trio as “the truth and the proof.”
Deion Sanders is a very public father, but a great one to his children nonetheless. He has constantly stepped up for the role when it comes to Deiondra, who is battling relationship troubles. Dad duties aside, Sanders also wears the Grandpa hat proudly! He has expressed publicly the love he shares for his grandson, Snow, who coincidentally also shares his birthday with Deion. With Shedeur and Shilo headed to the draft and possibly landing in some good teams, Coach Prime has truly given them his all to see them succeed on their own.
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