“Thank You JESUS! We can take whatever hand we’re dealt. We always have & we always will. #CoachPrime.” Not sulking about the draft day debacle, Shedeur Sanders is focusing on showing his true ability. Projected Top 5 pick, he tumbled to Round 5 at No.144. Many have expressed their issues, as Stephen A. Smith feels Deion Sanders’ legacy did impact the thinking of the NFL executives. But during this time of unwanted drama, the ex-Warriors star sends love to the family.

On Monday, the 23-year-old QB signed a four-year, $4.6 million rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns. At first, many predicted him to be a lock for a rookie payday north of $45 million. But the slide in the NFL draft means it is a $40 million loss for the player and his family. It all seemingly started when anonymous sources higher up in the league reportedly viewed Coach Prime’s son as having ‘Attitude issues.’ But not everyone thinks that way.

Stephen Jackson, who even uploaded a rant about the treatment of the former Bulls QB, this time sent love to Deion Sanders. On his Instagram, he added, “Control Your Own Narrative. #UnderTheOldLaw.” Then we had a lovely interaction between the NFL and the NBA’s former champions. Sanders wrote, “Love ya my brother”. And then Jackson replied, “@deionsanders love u more Prime.” This confirms he is not leaving the 2x Super Bowl champion’s side.

Weeks earlier, Jackson had defended the young QB again. “When you black and you confident, you know where you come from, you know who you are, you know what you can do, and you don’t need nobody to pat you on the back to give you the confidence. They hate it.” It was a fiery rant three weeks ago as many supporters came in for Deion Sanders’ son.

The Heat icon comes in full support of Deion Sanders

Being an athlete kid of any successful superstar father is no easy feat. Just look at Bronny James and the treatment he received last year during the NBA. Even though he was a 55th overall pick, many believed his father influenced the decision for them to draft his son. “A lot of that flak has been whatever people perceived as his personality trait to his talent. They’ve been trying to mix them in together [but] it’s separate,” said Dwyane Wade.

The 3x NBA champion believed personality traits make Shedeur Sanders who he really is. But as a fan I don’t like the way they’re trying to say that he’s too cocky, he’s too this, he’s too arrogant. He’s too all-these-things. Because he’s going to hit you with this, and he’s going to tell you, ‘If you don’t want your organization to be changed around, don’t draft me!’” Sanders’s 3.9 GPA, 14,000 college passing yards, and Heisman-level efficiency credentials far outweigh any perceived swagger.

So, D-Wade hates the narrative that overpowers Shedeur’s on-field achievements at Colorado. Plus, the anonymous sources who didn’t believe in the young QB’s future will soon be proved wrong. The football world will undoubtedly be watching closely to see what really happens on the grass, and hopefully, the 23YO performs the way that made him a top 3 star in the first place.

Wade’s defense highlights a growing tension in pro sports: balancing legacy families with merit-based evaluation. From Peyton Manning’s son, Eli Manning’s nephew Arch, to Michael Jordan’s son Jeff, top prospects with famous surnames grapple with heightened expectations. By championing Sanders, Wade became a well-known voice that shifted the narrative that pedigree and performance aren’t mutually exclusive, and that “coach-parent” influence should spark conversation, not condemnation.