Video: Deion Sanders Jokes He’ll Pull a LeBron, LaVar Ball, Eli Manning for Shedeur

Zach BacharContributor ISeptember 30, 2024

Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders discussed influencing the potential NFL draft location for his son, Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders joked that he’d follow in the footsteps of prior draft situations such as Eli Manning, LaVar Ball and LeBron James during an appearance on the Nightcap show with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson (30:45 mark).

“Honestly, we’ve talked about it extensively,” Sanders explained. “I talk to a multitude of teams at practice every day, but I want what’s best for him. I want him to be happy as well. You really don’t get to dictate where your son gets to go because there’s a draft process, but you know us. You know how we are, we know who ain’t trying to win in the NFL. You know who’s consistently in the basement year after year after year. You don’t want that situation for your kid or your family members. Nobody, none of them. So we know what time it is.”

During the 2004 NFL draft, Eli Manning was selected by the Chargers with the No. 1 overall pick when they were formerly in San Diego. However, Manning refused to play with the team and was eventually traded to the New York Giants.

“It was my decision having talked with my agent, coaches, [general managers] and owners,” Manning explained in 2021, via CBS Sports’ John Breech. “Going through the draft process, I was just worried about the Chargers organization at the time. I felt it was the right decision and I had a little pull.”

LaVar Ball, the father of Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball and Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball, was vocal ahead of Lonzo’s transition to the NBA.

“All I said was that my boy is going to play for the Lakers, and I’m going to speak it into existence,” Ball said in Feb. 2017 before his son was eventually selected by Los Angeles with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft (per ESPN).

The Lakers drafted Bronny James with a second-round pick in June after his freshman season at USC. With LeBron already on the roster, they became the first active father-son duo in NBA history.

As for Shedeur, the 22-year-old could find himself on an NFL roster in 2025 if he finishes the year strong. He’s completed 70.1 percent of his throws for 1,630 yards and 14 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions through five starts.

While Deion playfully alluded to Manning and Ball, it’s clear that he’s been discussing future NFL destinations with his son as he progresses through his senior season.